Juhi Chawla
We usually distribute all the sweets, mithais and cakes that we receive on Diwali to the entire household. Including all of our staff, so that it isn’t one person who is over-eating all the goodies! Also when I am gifting people during Diwali, I always make it a point to gift them sweets like dry fruits, which I know are definitely a better option.
My favourite part about Diwali is the entire festival! Clean up the house, wear new clothes, get new clothes for the kids, decorate the house with rangoli, put out diyas and light them in the evening, put a toran on the main door of the house etc. I just love doing all of this! Then later in the day we have a pooja which happens at our office. Also off late, my kids I guess have become environment conscious and don’t really like firecrackers. And I totally support them in that, as I feel that every day we are polluting the air and water around us! I mean just about everything! So I think an effort should be made to drastically cut down on firecrackers. I don’t like the idea of bursting crackers at all! And this year, like every year, Diwali will be celebrated at home with the entire family.
Benny Dayal
My fondest Diwali memory would be spreading the light with a few underprivileged children a few years ago. I went to this home and lighted diyas and we had a feast. We all decorated the home together, jammed on a few songs and did some wall painting. Diwali is best celebrated with a lot of happiness and positivity. For me, Diwali is spreading joy and prosperity with everyone and not just family and friends.
We like to keep Diwali celebrations at home very low key. It’s more of a private event where I prefer to spend exclusive time with the family. Since Cathy is at home now, she will decorate the house as she has a great eye for aesthetics and maybe have a small get together with dear friends and family.
Dia Mirza
My fondest Diwali memory will always be soaking the mitthi ke diye with my mother, putting them out to dry in the sun and pouring oil, rolling cotton wicks and placing them in each diya carefully… Laughing and chattering and being drawn in by the beauty that those small earthen lights would bring to our home each year. My mom would always use this time of year to make my name a celebration and remind me of the symbolism of how even a small flame can add a gentle glow to a dark space — the flame of hope. This year I am celebrating Diwali by saving lives of critically-ill underprivileged children through the Genesis Foundation.
Purab Kohli
When I was a kid, a whole bunch of friends of mine from Bombay made it to Lonavla — to my father’s hotel there. It was the first trip I had made with just a gang of friends not assisted by my elders. We were a riot and had so much fun. I’ll always cherish that memory. I am spending this year with family at an annual family Diwali party.
Tara Sharma
Honestly, every Diwali is special. So many memories spent with our family and friends and good food together is an ideal Diwali. Spending time with our family, eating yummy and festive food, dressing our kids up in Indian clothes, and fun evening with family and friends is always the plan. And donating or having a party with the less privileged is also a part of my Diwali.
Sophie Choudry
Diwali is the best time to be in the vibrant city of Mumbai. Everything is lit up, joyful. Everyone is smiling, celebrating and we have some of the best parties to attend! I think my best Diwali memory will be of my first Diwali in Mumbai, when I was just visiting. I got to go to the Bachchan’s house and I still remember Yash Johar uncle was playing cards and he won when I greeted him, so he made me sit with him. He had met me in London as a VJ while I was in college. I even interviewed him so he gave me the warmest welcome. He was a sweetheart.
On Diwali, apart from eating lots of yummy mithai and spending time with my family, What I look forward to is catching up with all my friends, wearing beautiful Indian clothes, playing cards for fun and good luck, and dancing the night away! For me, the spirit of Diwali is all about positivity, happiness and light. I wish everyone exactly that this festive season!
Taapsee Pannu
My fondest memory is when we used to have the entire family including my uncles and aunts and my cousins get together and having a lavish meal at home. Some really good family time is my idea of a perfect Diwali. For me, Diwali is an occasion when my entire family gets together and shares a good time. Be it over a meal or conversations. For me that is Diwali.
This year, it will be just me and my sister in Mumbai. I am working non-stop so couldn’t take out time to fly down to Delhi. I and Shagun will try to explore our artistic side by making rangoli and decorating the house with diyas. And then of course have some good food together or with friends in the city.
Tanishaa Mukerji
My fond Diwali memories have always been the ones with my close family and friends, where we would have a great time celebrating! This year, I plan to celebrate with my friends and family, watch Shivaay and then have a small dinner and card party.
Sachin & Jigar
For quite some years we used to open up our studio to a few talented children who don’t have the means to pay for music education and we give them access to our instruments and give them a few tips. Our manager and business partner Romil Ved generally arranges for this get-together. We got a great break because of the constant guidance we received from Pritam sir and this was our way of giving back to the universe.
We are generally touring all year and busy making music in the studio — whether it’s Diwali or Christmas or Holi, we just don’t get a breather. So this year on Diwali we are working on a few new projects and if we do have the time we will do a big family reunion — our families are known for great gourmet. So that’s something we are looking forward to in this Diwali.