Diwali spells festivities, celebrations, puja, lights, friends and endless gorging on sweets for everyone. And if you’re wondering what the festival of light entails for B-Towners, here’s a lowdown on the ABCs of Diwali celebrations in Bollywood!
A
The A in Bollywood dictionary is reserved for Amitabh Bachchan! And during Diwali it’s the party hosted by the Bachchans that’s one of the biggest highlights of the festivities as well as an unsaid tradition now in B-Town. It’s a date marked way ahead in the social calendars of the who’s who of Bollywood!
B
B is for the Big Ticket Bollywood Releases that line up for Diwali. It’s a premium release date that B-Towners announce and book way ahead for some of their mega-budget blockbusters-in-the-making biggies!
C
C is for the Card Parties that are part of B-Town lore with big money being rolled around for the shagun! But more than the money at stake, it’s the camaraderie at display between the celeb brigade at these close-knit lavish affairs that has everyone’s hearts. Jeetendra and Ekta Kapoor’s card parties are legendary! Karan Johar too hosts some of the best parties in B-Town. Aamir Khan is known to host a more private bash at his Bandra residence, while Shilpa Shetty Kundra and husband Raj Kundra’s Juhu house welcomes their set of Bollywood friends for some fun rounds. Anil Kapoor’s Diwali celebrations are also much written about.
D
D is for Diyas and Diwali decorations that add even more allure to the posh film family residences making them a sight to behold during the festivities. The Kundra residence is easily one of the most beautifully-lit houses dotting the Mumbai shoreline. Equally beautifully lit are Shah Rukh Khan, Anil Kapoor and the Bachchan residences too.
E
E is for the Evolution that Bollywood is going through and Diwali this year ushers in a new evolved format of redefined norms and normal. So, from Fridays no longer deciding the fate of an actor to filming as per the new guidelines, this year Diwali is also heralding in a new era of sorts!
F
F is for Fashion which is collectively more on display during the Diwali celebration week than it is at fashion weeks all through the year! With all eyes riveted on the glamazonians of B-Town, their fans look forward to emulating the styles and the designer labels these fashionistas and fashion icons flaunt across the festival season.
G
G is for the Glitz, Glam and Gossip that Bollywood is completely seeped in during the festivities. With the celebs party-hopping from one high-end social do to another it’s a power dose of all things glamour and spice!
H
H is for the Hot and Happening events that line up not only off screen, but also on small screen in terms of Diwali Specials, as well as daily soaps displaying the festive flavours prominently weaved into their story lines, and reality shows celebrating the fervour too.
I
I is for all the Indulgences that B-Towners engage in as they give in to the temptations and cravings – be it bingeing on all the sweets or going crazy shopping!
J
J is for the Jewellery that grabs most attention during the time. Not just who wore who, it’s a time the celebs put on their finest heirloom pieces out on display. Definitely aspirational stuff!
K
K is for the Kissing! Yes, the much-famed butterfly air-kissing at social dos goes for a toss this year as the social distancing brings back the Salaams and Namasteys!
L
L is for Lakshmi Puja – the Goddess of Wealth who is prayed to on the auspicious day to bestow all with peace and prosperity. The Lakshmi Puja is one of the most important rituals in Bollywood too.
M
M is for the Moolah that biggies rake in at the Box Office this time of the year. Producers and filmmakers hope this is what follows after doing their Lakshmi pujas. Barring this year, there are big films lined up for release during the time and families in mood to celebrate throng the theatres and the footfalls can only mean one thing! It’s all about the money, honey!
N
N – this year – is for Norms that one will have to observe and follow. There are designer masks to do all the talking – adding the bling to the social-distancing norms, as well as taking all precautionary measures like sanitising booths to prevent the COVID-19 from entering our lives.
O
O is for OTT that’s been ruling the entertainment roost more so in the recent months following the global coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent lockdown that seems to have made people turn to the digital platform. And with the biggies of Bollywood making a bee-line for it too, there’s a serious amalgamation of content and performance-oriented actors.
P
P is for Photographers and Paparazzi who ensure that you get your dose of glam and glitz daily and Diwali means non-stop party hopping for these shutterbugs too!
Q
Q is for Queuing-up of our celeb brigade to advocate a Pollution-Free Diwali and going all out to promote noise-free, cracker-free festivities!
R
R is for Reach! Whether it’s amplifying their connect with the fans through social media cementing their popularity through special shows or enhancing fan bonding through appearances, it’s all about reaching out to your audience especially at a joyous occasion like Diwali.
S
S is for Snacking and B-Towners have confessed to giving in to their guilty pleasures during Diwali and Skip their diets to gorge on all the homemade snacks and Diwali mithai.
T
T is for Traditional. The stunning trail-blazers and fashion icons dressed in their desi best set new trends for the marriage seasons ahead too. And the hunky gender competes with them in the looks department just as much. What’s even more interesting to watch out for are the styles where the old meets the new, and traditional gets a modern twist to greet and create new style-highs.
U
U is for Unconventional. And we’re not only talking about the break from the conventional formats of entertainment or entertainers that has been evolving on screens. Unconventional is the buzzword dominating this festive season too! Right from virtual parties to masked fashion statements, the word defines the tone of celebrations perfectly!
V
V is for Vacays that many B-Towners finally take from their work commitments either to soak in the celebrations at home or travel to exotic destinations and soak in some fun.
W
W is for Work-outs that B-Towners resort to even more dedicatedly and diligently after indulging their taste-buds with all the lip-smacking delicacies.
X
X is for the X in the eXtra precautions that we have to take during such eXtraordinary times that we are going through. As the world fights the pandemic and adapts to the new normal, so does Bollywood!
Y
Y is for Yoga that B-Towners swear by! Right from Kangana Ranaut to Malaika Arora to Kareena Kapoor Khan – these Bollywood divas make no exceptions when it comes to their Yoga, Diwalis included. In fact, that’s also the secret to their ever-festive glow!
Z
Z is for the Zeal and excitement that clearly rules the charts in B-Town. From social media posts to appearances, the happiness and an almost childlike enthusiasm is palpable in the air even for the biggest of movie stars and industrywallahs. The B-Towners put aside all box-office rivalry to revel in these Diwali celebrations together.
(All Pics Credit: Shutterbugs Images)