Vidya Balan's warm day demeanour and twinkling eyes can brighten up a dull. Much like, the beautiful, glowing diyas and sparklers that spread cheer during Diwali. BT celebrates the festival of lights with Kahaani 2's Durga Rani Singh, who loves to trace 'Happy Diwali' in the air with fuljhadis and her child like enthusiasm. Read on...

What's your Diwali routine like?
I was born and brought up in Chembur which is largely dominated by South Indians. For us, the day would start at 4 am. As a kid, I used to wake up early, apply oil in my hair, bathe, wear new clothes, burn crackers, go to the temple, come back and relish a sweet meal. We would do all this till 8 am. Then, we would visit our relatives. Now, my Diwali ritual is absolutely opposite. We wake up aaram se as we are not working that day. My parents host lunch or dinner for our entire family, including Siddharth's (Roy Kapur)'s close ones. Actually, the rituals start way before Diwali.

Do you spend days on pre-Diwali clean-up?
In my case, I have an OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) anyway. So my sister keeps teasing me saying that I don't need to clean the house during Diwali. It is spotless throughout the year. Siddharth and I are particular about cleanliness, but of course, for Diwali we do that extra bit.

What does Diwali signify for you?
Diwali is about hope, abundance, joy and light. I love the fact that all the streets are lit up and it's so festive.
Actually, Ganesh Chaturthi is my favourite festival but now, I have begun to enjoy Diwali as well, minus the noise, of course. When people burst crackers, I want to run away to a sound proof room.

Are Siddharth and you you religious?
Siddharth is an atheist. His father is a Hindu and mother is Jewish but he doesn't go to any religious place of worship. On the other hand, I pray a lot. People ask me, “Why don't you convince him to be otherwise?“ But I respect our differences. He doesn't ask me not to pray and I don't ask him to pray. He derives his strength from himself. I get my strength from praying. So, to each his own.

Are you superstitious?
I don't follow superstitions, but I do believe festivals are auspicious as it creates this energy of hope all around. Diwali signifies that acche din aa gaye hain. If you look at it mythologically also, it was about Lord Ram returning home and people celebrating it. As the year inches towards an end, all your problems also come to an end. That thought infuses certain positivity in everyone.

With changing times, we have also changed the way we celebrate festivals...
It's all about convenience now. As a kid, I remember getting excited during Ganpati. I love the Nashik dhol, Ganpatis being carried home, but now it's become a bit weird. People are taking Ganpati home before the festival begins. Some people do the visarjan a few days after they are supposed to. I always get nostalgic about how we celebrated festivals as kids. When I look back, I think those were simpler, lovelier times. Nowadays, most people have low-key celebrations, but I am glad that we are still celebrating.

Other than indulging in sweets and faraal, do you indulge in the other traditions, like buying new clothes and gifts...
I believe Diwali is about giving and sharing. I like to give people personalised gifts. Different strokes for different folks (laughs). About dressing up for the occasion, I love wearing saris in bright, festive colours, along with jhumkas. However, my style is always simple, on occasions or otherwise. I am happiest in my cottons, even for festivals.