Riteish Deshmukh missed Ganesh Chaturthi

For the first time in 10 years, Riteish Deshmukh missed Ganpati puja at home — and he's feeling miserable about it. Currently, Riteish is shooting for Sajid Nadiadwala's Housefull in London. Talking about it, Riteish says, "I missed being in Mumbai for the Ganpati pujas this year. From London, I am going to Italy, so I will miss out on the Ganpati pujas completely. The entire family (ex-CM Vilasrao Deshmukh, wife Vaishali along with their other sons, Amit and Dheeraj and Amit's wife) is at home celebrating the festival while I am in London shooting. I was feeling very nostalgic and missing mom's home cooked food — the puran polis, modaks and bhajiyas, which we always have during Ganeshotsav."

Riteish did his own little bit in London. "On the first day of Ganesh Chaturthi, I did a small prayer in my hotel room." He reminisces about his childhood when he and his three bothers used to celebrate the festival, "A few days before the festival, we would go to Crawford Market or Grant Road and select an idol. On the first day, we would get up early morning, sit in the car, and sing bhajans while bringing the idol home. On the festival day, we would get up early, have a bath and sit down for the pujas. Earlier we used to have a three-day puja but now we keep the idol at home for 11 days. All our friends would come and sit in. All three brothers would get new clothes during Ganpati and wearing kurta pajamas was a must including a Gandhi topi while sitting for the pujas."