LIGHTS WILL GUIDE YOU HOME TONIGHT

We always had an elder who would burn the big crackers like bombs and ladis, we used to stick to sparklers Deepika Padukone, actor During every Lakshmi Puja, we’d go to my grandparents’ house, and they made delicious south Indian breakfast Radhika Apte, actor

This Diwali, HT City brings together four actors, who represent two diverse sides of the Hindi film industry, under one roof. They speak about Diwali, their childhood memories, and more..

Diwali to me is…

Deepika: Diwali means celebration, brightness, festive fervour, family, friends, positivity, happiness… and to be grateful for everything we have.

Ranbir: Family, happiness, celebrations, to give gifts and offer prayers for a special year ahead. Diwali is also the release day of Saawariya (2007; Ranbir’s debut film) and Om Shanti Om (2007; Deepika’s first movie) (smiles).

Radhika: Mainly spending time with family and loved ones. I remember, when I was a kid and lived with my parents, we would go and meet our extended family.

Nawazuddin: This festival is all about my childhood. I remember lighting diyas with friends, eating and distributing mithai. Plus, we would wait for the sweets to come in for Diwali.

Starry Diwali

Ranbir: I don’t think stardom has changed the way we celebrate Diwali. We still celebrate it with our family, continue working and doing good work. It’s the same except that, maybe, we have to record Diwali wishes for news channels now (laughs).

Radhika: It hasn’t changed for me. I don’t think anyone will even recognise me if I ever step out on Diwali (smiles).

Nawazuddin: Yes, it has changed a bit, but only in a way that there’s a lot of decency in the way we celebrate it now. Earlier we would celebrate it with a lot of passion, and the thrill of Diwali used to be a lot more.