Hindustan Times (Lucknow) - Hindustan Times (Lucknow) - Live
Festival means family for stars
For Bollywood, Diwali is a time to be spent with loved ones
Like every Diwali, most Bollywood celebs will indulge themselves this festival of lights. What’s common to all is having their near and dear ones close, whether at a glittering do or a more private ambience.
TAAPSEE PANNU: TIME FOR EXTENDED FAMILY
Taapsee Pannu is taking a twoday break to visit Delhi, her hometown, to celebrate Diwali. Taapsee says, “Like every year, I will take time off from work and go to Delhi to celebrate with my family. Though this is my first Diwali in my Mumbai apartment, I don’t want to miss meeting my extended family. I celebrate Diwali with traditional things like making a rangoli, painting diyas and decorating the house. We do a small puja in the evening followed by a dinner with the entire extended family. This is our annual ritual.”
MANOJ BAJPAYEE: ONE WITH NATURE
Manoj Bajpayee will have a unique Diwali — much like the choices in his professional life. To rejuvenate himself after a hectic year, a source tells us Manoj left for an ashram for a month with his wife and daughter, to meditate in the midst of nature. “I wanted to get in touch with my body and soul. I also wanted my daughter to learn the importance of nature, so this year I thought of celebrating Diwali in peace with my family. With my family, every day is a celebration,” says Manoj.
SIDHARTH MALHOTRA: BEING CONTENT
Sidharth Malhotra tries to take time off every Diwali to meet family in Delhi or soak in the Mumbai revelry. This time he’ll probably have a working Diwali as he is shooting in Lucknow. Yet, he’s hoping to pay a quick visit to his family. “Diwali means celebrating whatever you have and being happy with it. That’s what I’m doing this year. It does not matter if you can’t meet family or friends.
When you work on a film set, those people become friends and family. Yet, I am trying to see if I can meet my family as Lucknow is close to Delhi,” he says.
YAMI GAUTAM: FESTIVE MINUS POLLUTION
Yami Gautam is off to her Chandigarh home to spend time with family and friends. She also plans to spread awareness on an ecofriendly Diwali there with help from local friends. Yami says, “Diwali always brings me back home. But pollution in the last few years is something we mustn’t ignore. So this Diwali, I have taken an initiative with friends in our neighbourhood to spread the message— keep the festive cheer alive without compromising the environment in any way.”