While some stars are busy working on Diwali, there are others who are taking a break to celebrate the festival of lights in their own special way...
BOMBAY TIMES (November 6, 2018)

KRITI SANON
This year, I’ll be in the midst of shooting for my film and so, it will be difficult to fly to Delhi to celebrate the festival with my family. My parents are planning to come down to Mumbai and it will be our first Diwali puja and celebration together in my new house.


KARTIK AARYAN
This year is very special for me, as my parents are here to celebrate Diwali. My sister is flying down as well. What I love the most about the festival is that everyone manages to take some time out from work and meet each other. In Mumbai, it goes on for a week; every night, we meet at some or the other friend’s place to play cards and have delicious food. I would like to request everyone to stay away from firecrackers, as they are not good for health, the environment, and for animals and birds.


SIDHARTH MALHOTRA
I grew up in Delhi in a joint family and my parents used to host a dinner every Diwali. My cousins, friends and extended family would come over and have dinner, eat sweets and play cards. So, I associate this season with meeting friends and being with my family. In the last decade, I have been staying by myself in Mumbai, so now, I have my own rituals, which includes doing a small puja at home. I remember when I was growing up, my dadi used to make sure that all the kids sat for the puja and prayed together.


TAAPSEE PANNU
Like every year, I will be taking off to Delhi to celebrate Diwali with my family. We usually have dinner with the entire extended family. On this day, I enjoy making rangolis and decorating the house with diyas.


YAMI GAUTAM
Diwali is the only time when being home is mandatory and a nonnegotiable family custom. We are very traditional when it comes to the celebration — lights, food, puja, pahadi-style rangoli, being together as a family... This is what Diwali means to me.


MALAIKA ARORA
I plan to celebrate Diwali just like it’s supposed to be, surrounded by my loved ones. This year, I want to have a celebration with my family and friends at home. Diwali is a festival of lights and that’s what I like about it. I prefer a noise and air pollution-free Diwali.


TUSSHAR KAPOOR
We will be spending time with family and friends. Since Laksshya (his son) is just beginning to understand what this festival entails, I want to take him out as much as possible. He enjoyed the Diwali bash at his school recently. I don’t like crackers and Laksshya hasn’t started bursting them either. He will not be exposed to them. I want him to be environment friendly.


WARINA HUSSAIN
I celebrate all festivals and Diwali is among my favourites. There is so much positivity and light associated with it. I look forward to meeting friends, lighting diyas and wearing traditional outfits. This time, I was so excited that I shopped for my Diwali outfit almost a week ahead of the festival.


VARUN SHARMA
Diwali, for me, is the most awaited festival of the year. It’s family time and I put all work commitments at bay. I also like to party with friends. The only change that has happened over the years is that I don’t burst crackers anymore and I would want to encourage people to celebrate a noise-free Diwali as well.


RAJESHWARI SACHDEV
Diwali is going to be a homely affair for me this year. My Marathi film will release soon, so I’ll also be busy with the promotions. My son enjoys the day, but we try to keep bursting crackers to a minimum. I love experimenting with food on this happy and auspicious day.


BHAGYASHREE
There’s only one way to celebrate Diwali and that is with family. We have a puja at home. This Diwali, my daughter, Avantika, will be distributing a small hamper to create awareness of all the work she’s done to help underprivileged kids.


PANKAJ UDHAS
Like every year, I will celebrate Diwali with my family and friends at home. We won’t burst crackers, but will only enjoy with phooljharis. I’ve saved some money, which I will donate for the treatment of children suffering from Thalassemia.


SHREYAS TALPADE
Spending time with family and friends is the best way to celebrate Diwali. I was never been fond of bursting crackers. There are so many traditional things to do on Diwali. I feel we should set an example for the next generation by celebrating this festival in a sober way.


FREDDY DARUWALA
I am heading to Surat to celebrate Diwali with my family and childhood friends. Whenever I’m in Mumbai during festivals, I miss my buddies the most. So this Diwali, I decided to put all my work aside and travel to my hometown.


SUKHWINDER SINGH
I plan to celebrate Diwali in a musical way. I’ll host a party at home. I’ve invited some talented musicians and I’m looking forward to jamming with them. I plan to celebrate a cracker-free Diwali and contribute towards making the festival noisefree. I realise the trouble birds and pets go through because of the noise and pollution. I might just light some phooljharis to celebrate the ritual.


PALASH SEN
Diwali is all about festivity… lights, puja, decorations, gifts, food and family. I will celebrate the festival at home. This time, I hope to start my war against the forces that crush non-film independent music and hope to return home triumphant the next Diwali.


DIVYENNDU
Diwali happens to be my favourite festival, as it takes me back to the time spent in Delhi. There, it’s a week-long festival for us and we follow the tradition of not cooking dinner at home during Diwali. We go out every night to gorge on street food.


AMYRA DASTUR
I love Diwali because it’s one of the only festivals in the year when my entire family comes together. All of us go to our farmhouse in Khandala for four days. We enjoy awesome Parsi food and play cards. Since we have our dogs there, we never burst crackers. We just light diyas.

SATISH KAUSHIK
I won’t be with my family on Diwali, as I’m shooting for my next production at a village near Lucknow. But I’m looking forward to celebrating the festival with my extended family — my crew — and people from the village. I’ll hire a farmhouse and host a Diwali party for them and we will distribute sweets and dry fruits.