A sweet homecoming

Actors may always be in the limelight but they don’t want to miss celebrating the festival of lights in style. Across film industries, actors have geared up for ‘Deepavali’. While some have chosen to spend time with their family and friends, others are using the occasion to travel. Gifting loved ones, generously helping themselves to plenty of homemade goodies and celebrating the festival in an eco-friendly way are the highlights of their festivities.

Raveena Tandon: “This year, during ‘Diwali’, my family and I are visiting the Golden Temple in Amritsar. This is the time when I buy gifts for every member of my family. And when I am in Amritsar, I will be looking foward to trying the ‘kulcha, ‘paratha’ and ‘lassi’ which will be my ‘Diwali’ treat this time.”
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Radhika Pandit: “‘Every year during ‘Deepavali’, I decorate the house with hand-painted ‘diyas’ and paper lanterns, which I make two weeks prior to the festival. This year, in addition to my parents' house, I also plan to decorate my in-laws’ place. I will make an authentic Konkani sweet called ‘Mande’ and a savoury ‘Tukde’, a diamond-shaped cracker, to go with it. We will also distribute ‘diyas’, lanterns and sweets among family and friends. Yash and I believe in personalising all festivals and ‘Deepavali’ is no exception.”
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Aindrita Ray: “I always celebrate ‘Deepavali’ with lots of sweets. This is also the time when I don’t watch my diet. I use it as an excuse to eat as many sweets as I want to. I hope people won’t burst crackers this year because it harms the dogs and pollutes the environment. I am travelling with a few friends this year, but that won’t stop me from celebrating ‘Deepavali’.”
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Ganesh: “I will take off work from Thursday and spend lots of time with my children- Charitriya and Vihaan. ‘Deepavali’ is a big festival for us and we always celebrate it in a grand manner. We don’t want to burst too many crackers but just light a few sparklers to show Vihaan the significance of the festival. Shilpa and I plan to throw a party to close friends from the industry on Saturday night.”
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Juhi Chawla: “I prepare for ‘Diwali’ in advance. It begins by cleaning up the house and buying new clothes for every member of the family. My children join me in lighting the house with ‘diyas’, drawing ‘rangoli’ and putting up ‘torans’ at the main door. This literally sets the mood for the festival. My children have become environment-conscious, so they have stopped bursting crackers and I totally support them in that. After the ‘puja’ on ‘Diwali’, we spend the day visiting family, friends and close relatives.”
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Rithvik Dhanjani: “I have fond memories of celebrating ‘Diwali’ during my childhood. Like any other child, I used to burst crackers too but as I grew up, I have refrained from bursting them because it pollutes the environment and harms animals. I hope people will indulge in a cracker-free ‘Diwali’. I am home in Mumbai for now, so I am looking forward to spending quality time with loved ones. And it goes without saying, that I don’t watch my diet during this time.”
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Kanchi Singh: “This year ‘Diwali’ is special because Rohan (fiance) is with me. Last year, he was a part of 'Bigg Boss'. Rohan and I haven’t decided whether to celebrate the festival in Mumbai or Amritsar but either way we plan to stay indoors, light 'diyas' and enjoy the festival in the company of close friends and family.”

(As told to Nina C George)