Kajol is a livewire, a total pataka, who has always lived life on her terms. Vibrant and sparkling with enthusiasm like the Diwali lights, it’s only apt that we celebrate the country’s most beautiful festival with our beloved Simran. In a chat with Bombay Times, the hazel-eyed beauty took a trip down the memory lane and shared her childhood memories of Diwali and what the festival means to her, today.

She reminisced, “When we were kids, my mother (veteran actress Tanuja) would wake us up early, give us a bath, apply ubtan, coconut milk. That was the Diwali tradition. I used to do that to my kids when they were small. They are too big now for me to do any of that but yes, getting up early in the morning, taking a bath, wearing new clothes is a constant. Always wear new clothes on Diwali day even if it’s a T-shirt. We don’t usually wear black in the day, maybe at night but not in the day. Something bright is preferred. As far as the traditions are concerned, I would like my children to take them forward, but I won’t force it on them.”

How can one not talk about food and faraal on Diwali. Kajol added, “You can eat whatever you like on Diwali. You can have mithai for breakfast, mithai for lunch and mithai for dinner. Koi rok tok nahi hoti khaanepe because Diwali hai. It’s a time for families to come together, eat together, sit together and chat. We try not to fight, not even have mini squabbles so that we can start off the year on the right note.”

The festival holds a special place in her heart. The actress shares, “Diwali is a gorgeous festival of lights and it is all about family. That’s ingrained in our culture and sometimes, we just need a reason to party (smiles). Diwali is the start of a new year, new beginnings. The feeling that people get on January 1st is the feeling I get on Diwali. You forget and forgive yourself for the past year’s mistakes and move on to make new mistakes in the new year (laughs). Diwali marks a beautiful beginning, and an ending all wrapped into one.”

Gadgets may have got us closer virtually but distant physically. We live in a fairly isolated world that can get a bit gloomy. Kajol signs off, “I love festivals because they give you a reason to celebrate. We all need celebrations in our life at regular intervals. It enables us to meet people that you don’t meet on a daily basis.”