Author: Ankita Singh

Actress Mohak Matkar, who plays the lead role of Saru in the television series ‘Saru’, shares her favorite aspects of Diwali.

Joy of Decorating and Dressing Up
The actress enjoys decorating her home with diyas and rangoli, and she eagerly anticipates dressing up in traditional outfits to honor the country’s rich culture.

“Diwali has always been one of the most special times of the year for me,” Mohak said. “I love the energy, the lights, and the sense of togetherness it brings. My favorite part of the festival is decorating the house with diyas and rangoli, dressing up in traditional outfits, and of course, indulging in all the delicious sweets.”

This Diwali, she expressed a heartfelt wish: “This year, my wish is that everyone’s life shines as brightly as the Diwali lights. Let’s fill our homes and hearts with love, laughter, and positivity. Wishing everyone a very happy and safe Diwali.”

A Passion for Acting
Mohak hails from a family rooted in the medical and legal professions. Despite this background, she pursued her passion for acting, enduring five years of auditions before landing a role. In ‘Saru’, she portrays a determined young woman from a Rajasthan village who aspires to become a district commissioner. To authentically represent her character, Mohak spent time in a village in Rajasthan, immersing herself in the local dialect and culture.

Storyline and Themes
The show follows Saru, who faces societal challenges and familial pressures in her quest to achieve her dreams. It weaves a narrative rich with ambition, resilience, and cultural nuances, highlighting the struggles and triumphs of a small-town girl. Known for its genuine depiction of rural life, the series captures local dialects, traditions, and community dynamics.

Previous Work
Before ‘Saru’, Mohak showcased her versatility in the family drama ‘Hamara Parivar’.

Tune In
Catch ‘Saru’ airing on Zee TV.

Actress Saiee M. Manjrekar has revealed her Diwali plans, emphasizing her preference for intimate family celebrations over extravagant social gatherings. In discussing her post-festival routine, she outlined how she resets after the festive indulgences.

Diwali Celebrations with Family

“My Diwali plans are always really fun. I don’t attend a lot of Diwali parties because I’m not a very social person. But I love spending time at home with family, eating all the food that’s made, helping make the diyas and the flowers and decorating,” Saiee shared. The “Dabangg 3” actress takes pleasure in the simple rituals of the festival, stating, “I think beautifying the house and getting ready together is so much fun.”

Post-Diwali Routine

After the festivities, Saiee emphasizes getting back to her fitness schedule. “I think post-Diwali, after all the indulgences are over, what I normally do is I just sort of hit the gym every day for maybe a week. Consistency is, I think, the most important discipline. And then I feel like once you get back to your rhythm, then it’s not too hard to maintain that.”

Saiee believes that “consistency and discipline” are essential, particularly during and after the festive season.

Career Highlights

The 23-year-old actress made her film debut with a brief appearance as Kushi Damle in the Marathi film Kaksparsh in 2012. She then took on her first leading role as Khushi Chautala in the 2019 Hindi action-comedy Dabangg 3, opposite Salman Khan. In 2020, she appeared in the music video for “Manjha,” alongside Aayush Sharma.

In 2022, Saiee made her Telugu film debut in Ghani, starring alongside Varun Tej, although the film was a commercial failure. She later appeared in the Telugu-Hindi bilingual biographical action film Major, portraying Isha Agarwal, the love interest of Sandeep Unnikrishnan.

Her most recent project is Kuch Khattaa Ho Jaay, where she starred opposite Guru Randhawa. Saiee was last seen in the Telugu action drama Arjun Son Of Vyjayanthi, directed by Pradeep Chilukuri, which features Nandamuri Kalyan Ram and Vijayashanti, along with Saiee Manjrekar, Sohail Khan, Babloo Prithiveeraj, Srikanth, and R. Sarathkumar.

Television actress Megha Ray, who stars as the lead in the show “Divya Prem: Pyaar Aur Rahasya Ki Kahani,” expressed that for her, the festival of Diwali represents light, not only around us but also within us.

In an exclusive interaction, Megha delved into what Diwali signifies for her. She shared, “To me, Diwali is about light, not just around us, but within us. It reminds me to choose kindness when it’s easier to ignore, and honesty when it’s tempting to pretend.”

She noted that people today are becoming increasingly aware, choosing empathy, truth, and mental health over mere appearances. “That’s the real victory of good over evil in today’s time,” she added.

The Essence of Celebration

Revealing the best part of Diwali for her, she mentioned, “Even when I’m away from home, I try to recreate the warmth of Diwali in small ways, like lighting diyas, dressing up in something traditional, and sharing sweets with whoever I’m working with.” For her, the essence of Diwali lies in the feeling of togetherness. “It’s not about how grand the celebration is, but about spreading light and smiles wherever you are, even on set,” she emphasized.

Cherished Childhood Memories

Reflecting on her childhood memories associated with Diwali, Megha recalled, “As a child, Diwali meant pure excitement—decorating the house with my mom, lighting diyas everywhere, and eating lots of sweets! I remember waiting eagerly for Mom’s homemade gulab jamuns; I honestly couldn’t stop myself from finishing all of them. Those simple moments with family still remain my sweetest Diwali memories.”

When asked about her plans for this year’s Diwali, Megha mentioned that she would most likely be shooting for her show, making it a working Diwali for her. “But I’ll still make it special, maybe light a few diyas on set, share sweets with everyone, and spend the evening with my family after pack-up. I believe even small celebrations can carry the biggest warmth if they come from the heart,” she concluded.

Television actor Akash Jagga, known for his role as Kundan in “Prathaon Ki Odhe Chunri: Beendani,” recently reminisced about his cherished childhood memories of Diwali.

Fond Memories of Diwali

In an exclusive interaction, Akash shared that he loved helping his family prepare for the festival. From decorating the house with diyas to creating vibrant rangoli designs, he was always eager to lend a hand.

“As a kid, I used to get excited about decorating the house with diyas and helping out with rangoli even if I messed it up half the time,” he recalled.

Exploring his excitement for the festival, he talked about the joys of bursting crackers and enjoying homemade sweets.

“Bursting crackers with friends till late at night and eating homemade sweets afterward was the highlight. Those simpler times still hit different,” Akash mentioned.

The Essence of Diwali

When asked about his favorite part of Diwali, Akash expressed his love for the sense of community that the festival brings. “The best part of Diwali for me is the vibe, that mix of lights, laughter, and people coming together. There’s something about those few days when everyone’s in a good mood, homes smell of sweets, and you can actually feel the warmth in the air,” he reflected.

What Diwali Means to Him

Akash shared his perspective on what Diwali signifies: new beginnings and gratitude. “For me, Diwali is more about new beginnings and gratitude. It’s that time of the year when you pause, reflect, and feel thankful for the people and moments that make life brighter, kind of like lighting diyas inside yourself too,” he elaborated.

Delicious Diwali Delights

When it comes to his favorite Diwali meal, Akash remains fond of traditional dishes. He stated, “Honestly, nothing beats homemade food during Diwali. Puri, aloo sabzi, some paneer, and of course, gulab jamun to end it on a sweet note. Simple, but unbeatable.”

Through these memories, Akash Jagga beautifully encapsulates the spirit of Diwali, highlighting the joy of togetherness and the simple pleasures that make the festival special.

Superstar Rajinikanth greeted fans who gathered outside his residence to celebrate Deepavali. The festive atmosphere was heightened by the release of a Behind The Scenes (BTS) video clip from his upcoming film, ‘Jailer 2,’ delighting fans and film enthusiasts alike.

Vibrant Celebrations

As Rajinikanth stepped out, the crowd erupted in shouts of “Happy Deepavali Thalaiva!!” with the superstar responding to their excitement, sporting a broad smile and waving at his eagerly waiting supporters.

Exclusive BTS Video Release

In a delightful gesture, Sun Pictures, the makers of ‘Jailer 2’, shared a BTS video shot on the film’s sets, making the Deepavali celebration even sweeter for fans. The video was shared on their social media platforms with the message: “Wishing everyone a super Deepavali. Here’s an exclusive BTS from #Jailer2 #HappyDeepavali.”

The BTS clip captures moments of fun between director Nelson and music director Anirudh during the shoot of the announcement video. Notably, Anirudh humorously pretends to meditate, saying, “Let me meditate silently for five minutes,” while Nelson looks on. Additionally, the video features Rajinikanth offering suggestions to Nelson regarding a shot.

Returning Talent

As with the first installment, ‘Jailer 2’ sees Anirudh composing the music and Nelson directing the film. Fans can anticipate the same high-energy action that made the first film a massive success, grossing an impressive 650 crores worldwide.

Success of Jailer 1

‘Jailer 1’ opened to positive reviews and achieved remarkable box office success. The film’s overseas distributor, Ayngaran International, confirmed that it garnered a staggering 33 crores on its opening day, marking the highest debut in Superstar Rajinikanth’s illustrious career.

In addition to Rajinikanth, ‘Jailer 1’ featured a stellar cast including Malayalam superstar Mohan Lal, Kannada superstar Shiva Rajkumar, Bollywood’s Jackie Shroff, Telugu actor Sunil, along with Ramya Krishnan, Vinayakan, Mirna Menon, Tamannaah, Vasanth Ravi, Naga Babu, Yogi Babu, Jaffer Sadiq, and Kishore. The film boasted music by Anirudh and cinematography by Vijay Kartik Kannan.

Rakul Preet Singh holds Diwali close to her heart, describing it as a festival that brings together the joy of family, friends, and festivities. Calling it one of her favourite celebrations, the actress expressed that her excitement levels rise significantly each year during this festive season.

When asked to encapsulate her Diwali mood in a single word, Rakul shared, “My Diwali mood is always very excited because I love Diwali. It’s one of my most favorite festivals. The festivities come together with friends, families, everything. So I’m most excited around the Diwali phase.”

While festivals can sometimes be accompanied by stress from expectations, planning, and social obligations, Rakul has her own way of keeping the celebrations joyful and meaningful. She acknowledged, “Oh yeah, festivals can be very stressful with all these expectations and social obligations and parties. Trust me, as an actor getting ready every day, going to different parties, taking that entire process of two, three hours is quite exhausting. But I think it only comes once a year, and you end up enjoying it. That’s really the only time you get to meet everybody from the entire industry.”

To manage the demands of the season, she said, “It is a joyful phase, and I think for me, anytime I’m over exhausted, I just choose where to go and where not to go, deciding which obligations can be avoided. Overall, I do enjoy this phase and I love meeting people. Once a year is a celebration that you really look forward to.”

Reflecting on her personal connection with the essence of Diwali and other festivals, Rakul emphasized, “Festivals for me are always, you know, like I just said, coming together of family, celebrating with your loved ones, your friends, just bonding over great food.”

She concluded, “For me, that is the essence of a festival; my personal connection is always about spending time with family.”

Actress Urvashi Rautela views the festival of Diwali as much more than just lights, decor, and festive glamour. For her, it’s about the people who fill those moments with meaning.

Significance of Diwali

Revealing what the auspicious festival signifies for her, the ‘Daaku Maharaaj’ actress shares, “For me, Diwali is all about celebrating with people who truly matter. When I’m with my family, it’s a festival of warmth, blessings, and gratitude — a time to reconnect with my roots. And when I celebrate with my film fraternity, it becomes a celebration of creativity, togetherness, and shared dreams. Both hold their own kind of light, and together they make my Diwali truly meaningful.”

Cherished Traditions

Urvashi treasures family traditions, such as lighting diyas with her loved ones, offering prayers, and expressing gratitude for the year gone by. Before heading out to glamorous Diwali parties and industry festivities, the ‘Great Grand Masti’ actress enjoys starting her day at home, spending quality time with those who have shaped her journey and grounded her values.

Reconnecting with Roots

For Urvashi, Diwali is a time to reconnect with her roots, which she believes is the festival’s true essence. Despite a hectic schedule, she prioritizes family time during the celebrations. Her day is filled with preparing festive meals, decorating her home, and performing the Lakshmi puja with close ones.

Celebrating with the Film Fraternity

Just as much as she relishes time at home, Urvashi enjoys celebrating Diwali within the film fraternity. Such gatherings, for her, signify a space of shared goals, creative bonding, and joy in celebrating collective milestones. The warmth from friends and colleagues adds a unique sparkle to the season.

Upcoming Projects

On the professional front, Urvashi is set to feature in Kamal Haasan’s highly anticipated sequel “Indian 3,” under the direction of S Shankar. Additionally, she will star in “Kasoor 2,” opposite Aftab Shivdasani and Jassie Gill.

Her exciting lineup also includes “Baap,” alongside Sunny Deol and Sanjay Dutt, “Inspector Avinash 2” with Randeep Hooda, and “Black Rose.”

Filmmaker Kiran Rao is elated after her directorial venture, Laapataa Ladies, secured an impressive 13 Filmfare Awards. During a recent conversation celebrating her film’s remarkable achievement, she shared an intriguing anecdote about Bhojpuri cinema superstar and Member of Lok Sabha, Ravi Kishan.

Insight into a Key Scene

Kiran discussed a pivotal moment in the film where Pratibha Ranta’s husband attempts to reclaim her. This scene also highlights the redemption of Sub-Inspector Shyam Manohar, portrayed by Ravi Kishan. Shyam steps in to protect Pratibha when she is harassed by her husband.

Kiran noted that this particular scene required Ravi Kishan, who typically recalls only the essence of his dialogues and improvises during filming, to be well-versed with his lines.

She expressed her initial nerves, stating, “I was very nervous because Ravi ji is very spontaneous and often, he doesn’t learn lines. He gets into the character and then he needs you to tell him the lines as you’re going along. And that day we had a lot to do, and I was very nervous about the nuance of this character when it flips because he needed to be very in character. It needed to be believable that this person has found it in him to do the right thing.”

A Commitment to Perfection

Kiran further remarked, “And in order for him to completely own that kind of transformation, I needed him to know his lines. So the day before this climax, he was reminding me. I went to his van and I told him, ‘Sir, please, tomorrow, you really please have to know all your lines because that’s the only way you’ll really be able to play the part without thinking about it.’”

In a positive turn, she added, “And that is actually what he did. He said, ‘I went home and I read the lines all night and learned everything. And when I came to the set, I didn’t have to think about it.’”

Actor Varun Sharma, known for hits like ‘Fukrey’, ‘Dilwale’, and ‘Chhichhore’, recently revealed his plans for Diwali night.

Family-Oriented Celebrations

During a conversation, he shared that this year’s Diwali will be focused on family. “Diwali celebration plans for me are going to be very simple. Like every year, I celebrate Diwali in the evening with my family. The entire family gets together, sits, chats, eats amazing food, and just stays at home. We light up the house and, dressed in festive attire, the whole family together sings, chats, and enjoys delicious food. It’s a very simple, family-oriented plan for me this Diwali,” he explained.

Fond Memories of Diwali

Reflecting on his childhood, Varun shared, “My fondest memory of Diwali would be from when I used to live in Jalandhar. I was very small, and like every small town, all the neighbors would gather outside their houses to chat and spend time together. That one night was the only time we were actually allowed to stay outside till late, around 11 or 12 at night, to meet our friends, go to their houses, and just enjoy ourselves.”

He continued, “We really looked forward to Diwali because it meant seeing all the neighborhood kids and friends dressed up in cute festive attire, celebrating together, and eating delicious food. Just being together, even if there wasn’t much to do, and staying up late was very exciting for us kids.”

Favorite Diwali Snack

When asked about his favorite Diwali snack, Varun said, “My favorite Diwali snack would obviously be sweets! They’ve always been my favorite. But every year, since childhood and even till today, we make puri aloo, which my mum prepares. She truly makes the best puri aloo in the world. It’s a very regular & basic dish, but there are so many beautiful memories attached to it.”

The Pink Floyd guitarist and rock icon David Gilmour has firmly ruled out any possibility of performing with his former bandmate Roger Waters again.

Gilmour, 79, and singer-songwriter Waters, 82, have been embroiled in a feud since Waters departed from the group in 1985. Gilmour has made it clear that there is no chance the two will reconcile and share the stage in the future. When asked by The Telegraph what conditions would prompt him to consider such a performance, he decisively stated, “Nothing. There is no possible way that I would do that.”

In a related incident in 2023, Gilmour’s wife, Polly Samson, publicly criticized Waters on X, accusing him of being “antisemitic to his rotten core” in the midst of a contentious debate surrounding Israel and Ukraine. She went further, describing him as a “Putin apologist and a lying, thieving, hypocritical, tax-avoiding, lip-synching, misogynistic, sick-with-envy, megalomaniac.”

Waters responded by labeling her accusations as “wildly inaccurate” and “incendiary.” Polly later explained to The Telegraph that her intention behind the post was to clarify which member of Pink Floyd she is married to. She elaborated that she often encountered strange looks from people who assumed her views aligned with those attributed to Waters, stating, “If they knew you’re married to someone from Pink Floyd, half the time people were giving me quite strange looks and it was really uncomfortable, and I just wanted to draw a line and make it clear that these were not views held by me or the person I was married to.”

In 2024, Pink Floyd sold their music rights along with their name-and-likeness rights. Gilmour clarified that the move was not primarily for financial reasons but rather a way to escape “the mud bath that it has been for quite a while.” He expressed a desire to be “rid of the decision making and the arguments” associated with the band’s legacy.