By PRASHANT GOLECHA

A look at how TV stars observe the holy month preceding Eid

Aamna Shariff loves the aroma that permeates her house once Ramzan is on.

"That's because there's always something special cooking each day of the month," she sighs longingly. Rakshanda Khan looks forward to the bowls of fruit custard that she relishes without any gastronomic regrets each evening. Nausheen's piece de resistance is sevaiya and biryani, Aly Khan's epicurean delights begin with khajoor and chat.

Hectic shooting schedulesmay not allow television stars the luxury of a placid lifestyle that can allow rigorous fasting during Ramzan, but many of our devout tele-stars believe that the holy month brings them closer to God. "I don’t fast, because one can get irritated when you are shooting continuously, without eating. My mother, sister and brother however do," says Aamna.

Eijaz Khan sounds a similar note. “Ramzan is a cleansing period where you let go of basic sins and feel rejuvenated," he says. Eijaz lives alone and has no relatives in Mumbai. But his Kkoi Dil Mein Hai unit members make it up for him by getting him goodies every day, when there's a break in shooting at 7 pm.

Aly Khan, in the news recently for being undiplomatically dumped from K Street Pali Hill, will always cherish the holy month, having tied the knot just five days before Ramzan. And of course, he loves to sight the crescent Eid moon, and has fond memories of the sightings in his childhood. A devout follower, he says he is particular about fasting and loves to have iftaar parties.

Rakshanda, who has been fasting since she was in school, even if the family traveled a lot, says air conditioned studios take away most of the discomfort associated with fasting. "It is only the outdoor shoots that make one uncomfortable," says this actor, who prays regularly during the month, and takes a break on Eid day. "That's the day I stay home and relatives come over. I love to attend iftaar parties, but my mother is the best cook!"

Aamna, who does fast some days of the month, recalls her childhood eidy with delight. "In those days, even Rs 500 used to be like 5000 Rs, enough to last us at least two to three months."

However, there are some for whom Ramzan is just another month on the calendar. Cezanne Khan has never fasted, and shrugs, "There is no particular reason for doing nothing during Ramzan. I don’t do it; it is as simple as that. Celebration doesn’t mean one needs to fast."

Then, he adds as an afterthought,"Eid, I do celebrate."