Getting into the festive spirit

Bollywood and television actors speak to MANASI Y MASTAKAR about their best Diwali memories and what the festival means to them...

Shreyas Talpade

“I think the best way to celebrate Diwali is with family and extremely close friends. I was never fond of crackers and as a kid I would burst them more as a formality and under moral pressure, because all my cousins and friends used to do it. But I stopped bursting crackers long time ago. I also feel we should stop lighting firecrackers and not make the air any more polluted than it already is. In fact, we should make it as clean as possible for the future generations. Spending time with family, some friends coming over, a lot of rangoli, the city looks so vibrant, the feel is so positive...winter starts to set in, overall it’s a very positive atmosphere and I think we should try and maintain it that way.”

Tanuj Virwani

“Diwali celebration starts way before Diwali actually begins! During the festival we love having family and friends over and I completely enjoy how everyone takes time for each other on this special day. I also love to indulge in special food and sweets made during the festival. It is difficult to speak about best Diwali memories as I make new and unforgettable memories every year. This year I am hoping to catch up with friends and family I haven’t met for long. Diwali is my favourite festival and for me it means happiness, lights everywhere, holidays, food and togetherness.”

Arjun Bijlani

“My fondest Diwali memory would be the first Diwali after my son Ayaan was born and this year, too, I will be celebrating Diwali with my wife Neha and Ayaan. I love the himself, and he seems excited for Diwali too. This year we would call our friends and have a nice house party for them. Life is all about loving your family...value your family is my festive mantra.”

Nikitin Dheer

“We celebrate Diwali just like every Hindu family...we spend our day together trying to beautify the house and the atmosphere even more. Pray at night to the Almighty for peace, happiness and prosperity, and then we go out to meet friends and family and spend the whole night together with loved ones. The excitement of going with my Mamma as a kid to buy crackers, and then spending the night bursting them is one of my best Diwali memories. Aah, good ol’ times! The significance

of Diwali for me is the victory of good over evil... It is a festival that helps us realise that no matter how dark the night, one diya is enough to make it Diwali!”

Vivian Dsena

“Diwali means family-time and eating a lot of home-made food. Both my mom and aunt are fabulous cooks and I love eating dal baati churma, gujiya, etc., during the week. I hail from Ujjain and in a town like Ujjain, Diwali is always beautiful... you meet relatives, friends and there is warmth and the personalised touch. In a

Ssharad Malhotra

“When I am in Mumbai I host a small gettogether for my friends and we have a gala time playing games, talking and having delicious dinner together. For my family, spending time with me is the biggest gift that I can give them. My best Diwali memory would be that of the year 2016 when I surprised them with a visit back home in Kolkata on Diwali. We celebrated together after eight long years. I still remember the smiles on their faces and their expressions when I came in front of them. They were almost in tears because of the happiness that they felt. I wish I could visit them more often, but my work keeps me very busy.”

Sharman Joshi

“No matter where I am, on Diwali it’s important for me to be home with family – there is no other way I’d ever want it. Food, fun, frolic and family make my day. I cannot single out any one memory as I have a host of them. But when I look back to my days of childhood, those seem fonder: No worry, new clothes, food, lots of fun and firecrackers. For me,

Diwali marks the beginning of a prosperous year full of love, laughter and money!”