Diwali in tinseltown

How are the stars celebrating the festival of lights?

CELEBRATIONS GALORE: (Clockwise)
Shankar Mahadevan, Purab Kohli, Jesse Randhawa, Pooja Chopra,
Koena Mitra, Mandira Bedi and Mugdha Godse

LIGHTS, crackers and crackling attires. Fun, food, friends, parties and full-on dhamaal. Diwali is all this and much more. It's a festival which brings with it, loads of joy and enjoyment and grips everyone in its fervour. Even the otherwise busy stars make sure that they take time out from their busy schedule to enjoy the festival of lights to the max. Pantaloons Femina Miss India World 2009 Pooja Chopra who is busy shooting in Chennai is going to have a blast this Diwali. She tells, “When I asked my director for a two day off for Diwali, he said that instead of that he would get my h o m e here. He has org a n - ised a p a r t y on the tallest tower in Chennai, and called my family here. It’s going to be great fun as all the cast and crew of the movie and my f a m i ly will be able to spend it together. P l u s, we will have the fire crackers from all over the city bursting at our eye level.” For Pooja it’s going to be half day at work and the rest, a big party.

For model-turned-actress Mugdha Godse, it’s a day to spend only with family and friends sans work, come what may. A similar story goes for actress and TV anchor Mandira Bedi. She says, “Diwali is always at home. I have decorated my home with 21 diyas, and they will be there for all the five days from Dhanteras to New Year. On Dhanteras, we buy a silver coin each year and a puja will take place on the day of Diwali.” So what is the diva, who's known for her ravishing saris, wearing for Diwali? She says, “I always wear sari, so, to make it different I am going to dress up in a salwar kameez.” Music composer Shankar Mahadevan too has a fantastic and musical five-day plan for Diwali. “It’s a family and friends-centric Diwali. Each day of Diwali is celebrated at a different house and each day brings with it a different cuisine. A card party is alsoplanned.While the kids will burstcrack-ers, we will listen to m u s i c and have jam sess i o n s. ” Does he win at the card party? “I won a lot of money last year, I hope the same happens this year. You win some, you lose some, but what’s important is the spirit,” he adds.

For Model Jesse Randhawa, it's a cracker-free Diwali. “It’s my first Diwali with Sandeep. We will have a Laxmi puja and havan. We shall meet family and friends. I don’t believe in crackers, but I will light a phuljhadi for shagun. The best part about Diwali are the lights. I have adorned my balcony with violet lights, and it’s simply gorgeous,” she says. But if you thought t h at Diwali abroad is no fun, ask Actress Koena Mitra, who says, “I am in LA and I will be going for a Diwali mela in NYC. It’s surely going to be a unique celebration for me.” While it’s celebration time for these celebs, it’s time to 'work hard and party later' for model-turned-actor Purab Kohli. “I am tied up with work at the moment and I have nothing planned for Diwali as of now.”

With the light from crackers, diyas and lamps, this Diwali, the stars are ready to shine more. Are you ready to add sparkle to the night?