Raksha Bandhan 2022: how Bollywood stars celebrated the rakhi festival

The annual Hindu event sees brothers and sisters honour their strong bonds with bracelets

Bollywood star Varun Dhawan showing off his rakhis on Raksha Bandhan. Photo: Varun Dhawan / Instagram

Farhan Akhtar shared a selfie with his sister Zoya Akhtar and film director Farah Khan Kunder. 'Best sisters ever,' he captioned the post. Photo: Farhan Akhtar / Instagram

Ananya Panday called her brother Ahaan 'the light of my life', sharing a series of photos on the occasion. Photo: Ananya Panday / Instagram

Farah Khan Kunder joked her triplets Anya, Czar and Diva are at the age where she has to 'pay them to hug each other'. Photo: Farah Khan Kunder / Instagram

Kartik Aaryan is seen touching the feet of his sister Kritika Tiwari, the ultimate sign of respect in Indian culture. Photo: Kartik Aaryan / Instagram

Actress Athiya Shetty shared a throwback photo along with brother Ahan Shetty. Photo: Athiya Shetty / Instagram

Sara Ali Khan shared a photo of herself with brother Ibrahim, whom she affectionately calls Iggy. Photo: Sara Ali Khan / Instagram

Actress Sonakshi Sinha shared a photo with her brothers Luv and Kussh. Photo: Sonakshi Sinha / Instagram

Mahesh Babu shared a photo of his son Gautam and daughter Sitara with the caption: 'Here's to the unbreakable bond of love.' Photo: Mahesh Babu / Instagram

Bollywood director Zoya Akhtar shared a throwback photo of herself with brother Farhan Akhtar, who is also an actor and director. Photo: Zoya Akhtar / Instagram

Sanjay Dutt shared an old photo featuring his sisters Namrata and Priya as well as his late father, actor Sunil Dutt. Photo: Sanjay Dutt / Instagram

Actor Sunny Deol posted a black-and-white photo of himself with one of his sisters. Photo: Sunny Deol / Instagram

Parineeti Chopra shared a photo with her younger brothers Sahaj and Shivang, captioning it: 'The best gift my parents gave me.' Photo: Parineeti Chopra / Instagram

Shamita Shetty took the day to honour her sister, actress Shilpa Shetty. Photo: Shamita Shetty / Instagram

Bollywood stars took a trip down memory lane as they praised their siblings for Raksha Bandhan, the annual Hindu festival celebrating the bond between a brother and sister.

Falling on Thursday this year, the day is a public holiday in most parts of India and sees families dress up, get together and exchange gifts and sweets.

Scroll through the gallery above for more pictures of Bollywood stars celebrating Raksha Bandhan

Bollywood director Zoya Akhtar shared a childhood photo of herself and brother, actor-director Farhan Akhtar, captioning the photo: "Once upon a time".

Farhan then reciprocated the love, sharing a recent selfie with Zoya, as well as director Farah Khan Kunder. He captioned the photo: "Best sisters ever".

Actor Sanjay Dutt also shared a throwback photo featuring his sisters Priya and Namrata, along with their father, the late actor Sunil Dutt.

"Knowing that I will always have you two standing by me makes me feel blessed and happier. Thank you for always being my strength. I love you both so much! Happy Raksha Bandhan," the actor posted.

"Happy Rakhi," posted actress Athiya Shetty, along with a childhood photo of herself and brother Ahan Shetty. The siblings, who've both made their Bollywood debuts, are children of actor Suniel Shetty.

One of the main rituals during Raksha Bandhan is when sisters tie a rakhi, or charm, around their brother's wrists. It is meant to protect them from evil and cement the siblings' bond. Sisters, in turn, traditionally receive gifts or money, as well as a vow that they will always be protected.

Entrepreneur Navya Naveli Nanda, the granddaughter of veteran Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan, also shared a throwback photo of herself holding her brother Agastya Nanda as a baby.

Agastya, who is now 21, is all set to make his Bollywood debut in The Archies, a film by Zoya Akhtar, alongside Shah Rukh Khan's daughter Suhana Khan and late actress Sridevi's daughter Khushi Kapoor.

"Happy Rakhi to you," Navya Naveli wrote.