On Easter Sunday, celebrities recall their fondest childhood memories of the festival and how they plan on spending it this year.

Easter Sunday is approaching and your favourite celebrities are going to try their best to make the most of their Easter weekend. We ask a few of them to go down the memory lane and tell us about some of their fondest childhood memories — whether it is going on a hour long hunt for their favourite Easter eggs, going down to their favourite patisserie to gorge on some of their delicacies or simply relishing the season’s best dishes at home with loved ones — these celebrities have done it all.

Elena Fernandes, model and actress
My fondest childhood memories from Easter are the Easter hunts. My parents used to hide chocolate eggs all around the house and all of us would immediately begin the race to see who would get hold of the biggest one. I remember, much to the disappointment of my parents, that we used to turn the house upside down, but it used to be so much fun! And to be honest, not much has changed. Every year till date, my parents get us our favourite chocolate eggs — we are still big kids at heart!

Remo D’Souza, filmmaker
I remember converting from Hinduism to Christianity when I was about 14-year-old. Back then, Easter for me used to be all about going to the church and spending quality time with my family, uncles and cousins. This year, however, I will be busy shooting on Easter and won’t get an opportunity to be able to spend time with my children and family. But, my mother-in-law makes some delicious Easter food and, like every year, I’m eagerly waiting to gorge on those delicacies.

Terence Lewis, choreographer
Having bought up in a very religious Catholic family, we observed all the forty days of Lent fasting, abstaining from pleasure, looking back at life, analyse and ask for forgiveness. And so, Easter was very special to us as a family. I had very vivid memories of going for the night vigil mass and having a scrumptious Easter lunch on Sunday. My mother used to make the most amazing chicken curry, pulao and Sannas. This year, unfortunately, I’m working on Easter Sunday (I am going on stage for a performance), but despite the workload and other commitments, my family has stayed true to the traditions. My eldest sister will be hosting an elaborate, celebratory lunch for our entire family (and we are a large family) at her place. I plan to visit her in the afternoon!

Vivian Dsena, actor
My grandmother and my mother used to work for hours making Easter eggs. And, delicacies like these used to make my holidays fun. This year, I will be spending Easter in the city only with my mother, who lives with us.

Gino Banks, drummer
I  don’t identify as a religious person, but I do have some fond memories attached with Easter. As a child, I used to love the chocolate Easter eggs as compared to the marzipan ones, which were more popular. I also remember going out with my family and getting Easter eggs from a shop in Bandra called Croissant and Candies. Later, when Birdies opened up, we started going there as well. This Easter though, I’m going to spend the day working — I will be teaching students in Pune to play drums.

Sound restrictions in the city:
Fr Nigel Barrett, spokesperson for the Archdiocese, expalins how they schedule Easter masses around the 10 pm deadline. “There are two services — a vigil service in the evening and a Sunday Easter mass in the morning, which is a universal practice. In Mumbai, we complete the services before 10 pm due to sound restrictions and have the vigil mass before 10. However, abroad the mass is usually held between 10 pm to 12 am to bring in Easter.”