Actor Deepika Padukone admits 2020 has been ‘an incredibly difficult year’ owing to the Coronavirus pandemic, but adds that festivals ‘give you a sense of hope’ 
Prashant Singh (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 13, 2020)

This Diwali will be celebrated right in the middle of a pandemic. Keeping that in mind, what are your feelings like?
Honestly, we are going to keep things quite low key, keeping in mind the sensitivity (of the situation) towards the environment, and the people around us. It’s been a difficult year for many in different ways. So, what we intend to do is, to stay at home, do a simple pooja, and spend great time with family. Normally also, that’s what we do anyway.

But festivals do bring some cheer and excitement. Right?
Absolutely. Like I said, it’s been an incredibly difficult year [due to Covid-19] but what our festivals do is that they kind of give you a sense of hope and something to look forward to.

What would be your big wish this year?
This year, on Diwali, if I had to wish for something for everybody, it would be good health and peace of mind. And, in fact, that’s my prayer for people most of the time, even when I wish them on their birthdays as I feel that’s the real core of everything we do; everything else is secondary.

Growing up in Bengaluru, what are your memories of the festival as a kid?
My memories of Diwali is all about spending quality time with family and friends. In fact, that’s what I look forward to this year as well. When you are in school, you look forward to the fact that you would have some days off. Plus, your working parents would not have to go to work too. Your friends in the building would also have days off. So, things were always very simple, and never too big or extravagant. Nonetheless, they are extremely special memories (smiles).

Has anything changed for you, over the years, vis-a-vis Diwali celebrations?
Every year, one looks forward to festivals. This year, though, is slightly different because of the various things that different people have gone through (due to the pandemic). But at the end of it, a festival is all about hope, so, I would say it’s a kind of bittersweet feeling this year.

The best thing about Diwali for you?
For me, it’s the diyas as I am all for the light. Also, in my family, everyone’s names — dad, Prakash, mum, Ujjala, sister Anisha — including mine, are actually different synonyms for the word light. Hence, Diwali has always been an extra special festival for us, and lighting diyas is my thing (smiles). Keeping them ready, readying the wick, putting ghee and lighting them during the pooja, is what I look forward to the most.