Actors, writers, Quantico stars as well as several American media persons turned up in desi finery for Priyanka Chopra's first Diwali bash at her sprawling Central Manhattan apartment on Saturday night. From ace style editor, Edward Barsamian, in a beige silk kurta-pyjama to actress Tracy Ifeachor blingy in a gold-and-black choli, along with David Bradley Lim and Jake McLaughlin in casuals and PeeCee's make up artist Stephanie in a blue salwar and jhumkas, there was plenty of sparkle in PeeCee's living room. Brit actor-writer Ralph Brown made heads turn when he unbuttoned his grey jacket to reveal a colourful tee with a large print of Lord Ganesha. The 34-year-old-actress who makes her Hollywood debut alongside Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron in Baywatch, chose to step out a gauzy white sari teamed with a gold zardosi blouse.

By the end of the night, an enthusiastic guest had painted a long, white fernshaped bindi on her forehead, teasingly referring to her as “Goddess Priyanka!“ Her New York pad was decorated with white and gold balloons, chains of twinkling fairy lights festooning the windows. On the doorstep was a welcoming rangoli and the traditional diyas. Adding delight to the vibrant soiree, the hostess's personal playlist included Bollywood hits like “Desi girl“, “Pinga“, “Tu Ne Maari Entriyaan“. Not all the chartbusters, however, were from her own films, there were some retro favourites too “Mungda Mungda“, “Disco“ and “Dum Maro Dum“. Singer-songwriter and one of PeeCee's close friends, Jay Sean, wouldn't get off the dance floor and even managed to cut a video with the hostess, their enthusiastic “Happy Diwali“ shout out drowned by a loud Arabic sound in the background.

An Indian chef was hired for the occasion and he put out a lavish spread which included chicken and mutton delicacies, piles of para thas, bowls of chhole and biryani. There was a long dessert list, with gulab jamun and rasmalai.

There were return gifts for everyone. UK-based writer-filmmaker, Gurinder Chadha, flaunting her red and yellow bandini gift, bid farewell to the host hooting, “This is how Diwali should be done. Like true Punjabi women. No one can party like us!“