How Salman Khan’s niece Alizeh Agnihotri celebrates Raksha Bandhan differently

Actress Alizeh Agnihotri is the oldest sibling of her generation in the famous Khan family. The Farrey star is superstar Salman Khan`s niece and granddaughter of screenwriter Salim Khan. The Khan family is known to celebrate all Indian festivals with equal zest, and Raksha Bandhan is no less for them.  Ahead of the festival this year, Alizeh spoke to mid-day about her cherished Rakhi memory and her bond with her sibling Ayaan and cousins, Nirvaan, Arhaan, Ayat, and Ahil.

The actress, who grew up surrounded by siblings and cousins across generations, says their bond is so strong that they are “extremely dependent on each other.”

“Raksha Bandhan feels like a Sunday lunch at my grandparents’ home,” she says, adding, “The laughter, the food, the teasing- it’s all about togetherness.”

A special memory

One of her most cherished Rakhi memories goes back to the year Ayat was born- the daughter of Salman’s sister Arpita Khan Sharma with her husband Aayush Sharma. “On my mom’s side, I’d been the only girl for so long. It felt so special to finally share the day with a sister,” she recalls warmly.

A tradition of equality

While most families follow the tradition of sisters tying rakhis to brothers, hers comes with a twist. As the oldest sibling and cousin, she has always been the one ensuring everyone is safe, responsible, and cared for. “The boys always come to me for help and guidance in their careers and personal lives. On Raksha Bandhan, we tie rakhis to each other to acknowledge equal respect for both brothers and sisters,” she explains.

Friends first, family always

When it comes to describing her relationship with her brother Ayaan and her cousins, she doesn’t hesitate, “We’re all best friends. Family is everything to us.” That closeness extends into their professional lives too. “They trouble me every day,” she shares. “They need my opinion on everything they do. I’m always that SOS call when they need something done. It’s the same way my mom is for her generation of siblings and cousins.”

The song that describes their bond

If she had to pick one song that captures the essence of her bond with her siblings, it wouldn’t even be a traditional Raksha Bandhan track. “Probably Yeh Dosti from Sholay,” she says. “It’s not technically a sibling song, but it’s the first one that comes to mind when I think of my siblings and cousins.”

For Alizeh, Raksha Bandhan isn’t just about a ritual; it’s about celebrating a lifelong friendship, mutual respect, and the unspoken promise of always showing up for each other, no matter what.