MUMBAI: Diwali means family time for most of us, but not for these actors. They are unable to celebrate the festival with their families because they cannot travel due to work or Covid-19 restrictions. Here is what they are doing this year. 

Shehzada Dhami:  I always celebrate all the festivals with my family and ensure that I take time out for them. But this year, shooting is on and I am not able  to get a long holiday. I have debuted with Jaadu Hai Jinn Ka this year and I am going to miss being with my family which is in ludhiana. I lost my father last year, so this will be the first Diwali without him. I am going to miss his presence too. I am in Mumbai with my flatmates and we will decorate our house. We will light candles and diyas and also make a rangoli. We are focussing on making this a traditional Diwali while maintaining social distancing. I have two brothers who I will miss a lot. Everyone should have a low-key Diwali this year. I will splurge myself with a lot of mithais and do the puja too. I will have noise-free, cracker-free Diwali.

Arun Mandola: I have to shoot the next day after Diwali and before Diwali, I am at Ayodhya Temple. This is why I cannot go home this year. There is no comparison in Diwali here and Delhi ki Diwali, which I have seen since childhood. I am very attached to Diwali because Diwali is one of my favourite festivals. People exchange Diwali mithai on Diwali. I remember I always get excited about Diwali and decorate my house, do lots of shopping, buy gifts and mithai. The best thing if you see Delhi from the sky then you will see full of colourful LED lights everywhere. I am missing my mother’s food and enjoing with my siblings. At home, we do Lakshmi poojan. Sometimes, I used to go on long drives with my friends late at night, after Diwali. This year I want to do something special for poor children and make their Diwali special as well. 

Aniruddh Dave: I am unable to go as I am shooting for my show Lockdown ki Love Story. My wife is expecting too, so I can’t travel. I will do basic rituals and pooja. I will miss the lighting of Jaipur and the kind of mithais and food items which are made in my hometown. They are not available anywhere. Last year, I celebrated with my parents but this time I can’t go and I can’t even ask them to come given the Covid-19 scenario.  I suggest everyone not to take this Covid-19 situation lightly and stay at home. I will light candles and diyas at home only. One must understand this Diwali is different and in line with the new normal. The real celebration definition has changed. One shouldn’t party this year at all.  I will do a video call with my close friends and family members on Diwali. 

Yesha Rughani: I make sure that I visit home, Rajkot, each year on Diwali, no matter where I am. But this year, I decided to not travel because I have started shooting and I don’t want to take any risk. Keeping in mind everyone’s safety, I have decided to stay in Mumbai. I will celebrate with my sisters in Mumbai. We will make a rangoli, decorate the house and have also planned a nice dinner at home. 

Srishti Jain: Usually, my family travels to Bhopal to celebrate with my grandparents and cousins. But this year we’re going to stay home here in Mumbai and celebrate Diwali here. Well, we will have a few family friends over who live in the same building. We will do the puja and have lots of Diwali mithai, There will be lots of good food and fun times with my family and friends. Diwali is the festival or lights and marks a win of good over evil. I make a wish every Diwali for my loved ones and for myself to have happiness and brightness in our lives as long as they live and for the lord to give us the strength to always make the right decisions and be good.