I relate to Hermione Granger the most in Harry Potter films: Aarohi

Time of India

02-05-2025

Aarohi Patel, a Potterhead
Ask
Aarohi
if she is still a Potterhead and she quips, "Always" (like Professor Severus Snape). On International
Harry Potter Day
, the Udan Chhoo actor tells us why she loves
Harry Potter films
, how she is trying to turn her husband (actor Tatsat Munshi) into a Potterhead and more.
'I saw the first Harry Potter film in 2008 and the rest is history'
Aarohi turned into a Potterhead in 2008, thanks to her younger sister Sanjanaa. She says, 'Sanjanaa is a big Potterhead, and she insisted that I must watch the movies. In 2008, I saw the first film and the rest is history. Usually, I prefer reading a book before watching a film based on it. However, I watched the Harry Potter movies first and read the books later. I love everything about it, but I still feel reading the books before watching the movies would have been better, as it would have allowed me to build my own Hogwarts or looks of the characters.'
Aarohi's favourite book and movie is Deathly Hallows
She adds, 'Every year, my sister and I have a Harry Potter marathon during winter, with cups of hot chocolate. It is like a tradition for us.'
'Hermione Granger is my favourite character'
While she loves all the characters, Aarohi relates to Hermione Granger the most. She says, 'She is my favourite character because I relate to her completely. In school, I was a first bencher too, who memorised all the answers and raised my hand all the time to answer questions (laughs). Also, I like Emma Watson (who played Hermione Granger).'
Aarohi believes every character in the series has their own amazing journey. She says, 'I feel the books and the films are brilliant. We enjoyed them as children and continue doing so even today. Every character from the first part to the last one has its own journey, and each of them stays with us.'
She adds, "I don't have high expectations from the reboot series, reports say it will follow the books closely, so I have my fingers crossed. But nothing will ever match the charm of the original movies."
'I told Tatsat he has to watch Harry Potter films, it's non-negotiable'
Aarohi, who married Tatsat Munshi last year, says not knowing anything about the Harry Potter world was 'not acceptable to me.' She laughs, 'I told Tatsat that to be 'happily married' to me, he has to watch the films, it is non-negotiable. I am glad he is watching them and enjoying it too. We are going to London in June for my sister's convocation and we will visit the Harry Potter World (
Harry Potter Studio Tour
) and places like Elephant House café in Edinburgh, where JK Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter book. I am preparing him for that too (smiles). I really want to try
Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans
, apart from Butterbeer, pumpkin pasties and treacle tarts'
Accio Rapid Fire Round!
· Favourite book/movie?
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
· Favourite spell?
Alohomora (spell to unlock doors and open locks)
· The Hogwarts House you belong to?
Gryffindor, in every manner
·
Which D-Town actors will play these characters best?
- Harry Potter:
Pratik Gandhi
- Hermione Granger:
Obviously, me!
- Ron Weasley:
Mallhar or Mitra Gadhvi
- Albus Dumbledore:
Siddharth Randeria
- Professor Snape:
Abhinay Banker or Jayesh More
- Professor McGonagall:
Gopi Desai
- Hagrid:
Deven Bhojani