Actor Shashank Arora reveals he strictly cuts off from work when it’s Diwali, and devotes his time to only family.
Actor Shashank Arora has made a clear demarcation in his life when it comes to devoting time to his family. The actor, whose film Superboys of Malegaon was recently screened at the Toronto International Film Festival (Canada), shares how he makes sure to travel back to his hometown Delhi on occasions like Diwali.
Shashank Arora
“There are three-four industry friends in Delhi, but this time is going to be exclusively for my family. I don’t get much time with them. Mumbai wale friends ko toh milta rehta hoon saal bhar, par abhi family ke saath rehna hai,” the 35-year-old shares.
Talking about his love for the city, he continues, “Delhi has such good food, and Mumbai has its own pace… both cities are magical in their own different ways. [But] I prefer to be in the Capital for personal reasons. So for me, Delhi stands above every other city.”
Ask him if there are occasions where his family travels to meet him in Mumbai instead and Arora replies, “Indian families are very large and scattered in different cities. I do invite them for my film premieres, or when I need some extra validation and love. Ya phir main Dilli bhaag ke aa jaata hoon, my mausa-maasi, everyone is there.”
Actors like Samir Soni, Avika Gor and Shashank Vyas hope to get time off work to shop, decorate their homes with lights and rangoli, burst crackers and gorge on sweets. And those who won’t get a break, are excited about spending the festival with their colleagues on the sets.
Here are plans of some actors:
Avika Gor: Diwali is my favourite time of the year. From Dhanteras to Bhaiduj, I love all of it. The sparklers, the temples, the diyas and the happiness of being together with family fill so much happiness in our lives. I love shopping for new clothes, bursting crackers and also the fact that we get to eat so many sweets.
Pratyusha Bannerjee: A few years back, I was sitting on my terrace, enjoying the bright lights and the crazy sound of the sparkling crackers. I was enjoying a lot, but when I witnessed the smoke and residue of the crackers, I changed my way of celebrating Diwali. I realised these crackers spread so much air and sound pollution. Since then, I have been celebrating an environment-friendly Diwali with lots of sweets, shopping, diyas and rangolis – which is equally satisfying.
Shashank Vyas: Given that I am shooting throughout the year, Diwali is a period that we spend together at home in blissful solitude. Diwali means a lot of revelry and fireworks. As a child, I used to relish bursting crackers with my father as that was my idea of fun for Diwali. But when I grew up and saw a child playing frivolously with crackers, I could not stop myself and ran out to stop the child and explain to him how to have a safe Diwali.
Apara Mehta: Diwali is never the same if not celebrated with your family. It is that time when my entire family gets together first for the Dhanteras puja and then the main Diwali puja. We have a family dinner on our terrace where we all get together to burst crackers and eat sweetmeats under the starry sky.
Kritika Kamra: I have always celebrated Diwali with my family. But this year I am unable to meet them due to a hectic shoot schedule. Surely I am going to miss my family.
Ankita Lokhande: I have always loved this festival of lights…making rangolis and bursting crackers is so much fun! We also have a small celebration on our sets as well. It is like one big happy family! The huge variety of sweets that one has at home makes this my time of indulgence.
Vibha Chibber: It’s the time of the year when we celebrate with our near and dear ones. It brings all of us closer. It spreads so much cheer. This year I have full plans of celebrating Diwali with the cast and crew of my show. There’s going to be a big celebration on the sets. I have also invited all my co-actors to my place on the Diwali day for a gala dinner!
Rubina Dilaik: This year I’m hoping for a day off from the shoot of Choti Bahu a couple of days prior to Diwali so that I can go shopping for diyas and decorate my house beautifully. This is the only time when the entire family gets together and we all exchange gifts. Mumbai at this time is dotted with lights and it’s a wonderful sight to see every nook and corner lit up.
