Hit movies, family time - stars want for Diwali

NEW DELHI - Three multi-starrers are releasing just a day before Diwali and most Bollywood stars are hoping that their films will hit the jackpot during the festive season. Also, spending quality time with the family on the festival of lights is equally high on their wish list.

Anthony D’Souza’s “Blue”, Rohit Shetty’s “All The Best” and Prem Soni’s “Main Aurr Mrs Khanna” will simultaneously hit screens Friday and are expected to give tough competition to one another.

Actress Lara Dutta, who is already creating waves with her svelte figure in underwater thriller “Blue”, hopes for a “bumper Diwali” with the movie, which is being touted as India’s most expensive till date.

“I’m hoping that ‘Blue’ does well and my Diwali becomes a bumper Diwali. Diwali is a festival meant to be celebrated with family, but last year I was shooting in Singapore for ‘Do Knot Disturb’. This year I’ll be spending time with my close ones,” said Lara.

For Bipasha Basu, who features alongside Ajay Devgn, Fardeen Khan and Mugdha Godse in the laugh riot “All The Best”, this Diwali will be a huge celebration as it coincides with her mother’s birthday.

“My film is releasing on Oct 16 and my mother’s birthday is on the same day. My new house has also been just done up; so we will celebrate the first Diwali get-together-cum-puja there. I’ll eat a lot of sweets and will say no to the gym on Diwali day,” Bipasha told IANS.

Diwali was lucky for model-turned-actress Mugdha Godse as her debut film “Fashion” was released during the festival time last year and she had received accolades for her performance. This time too she is hoping for a similar response with “All The Best” and has plans to tag her family along for the movie.

“I’m going to be in Pune with my family this year. We are all going to watch ‘All The Best’ on Oct 16 as I’ve booked a whole theatre for them. I hope it does well,” said Mugdha.

“On Diwali day, I’ll have breakfast with my family and then in the evening decorate my place with diyas and perform Lakshmi poojan. I’ll also be spending the whole weekend in Pune before coming back to Mumbai and resuming work from 19th onwards,” she added.

Even though composer-actor Himesh Reshammiya’s upcoming movie “Radio” isn’t releasing around the festival of lights, he said he “will pray that the film does well”. “Radio” will release Dec 3.

There are others like Deepika Padukone, Malaika Arora Khan and Shekhar Suman among others who have decided to spend quality time with family and loved ones.

“I will be with my family,” Deepika said when asked about her Diwali plans.

Malaika, who is at present a mentor on Star Plus’ show “Perfect Brides”, says that Diwali is a perfect occasion for a family reunion.

“Be it Deepavali, Eid or Christmas — every festival that gets our families together is celebrated in our house with the same fanfare and gusto. For us, it is just an excuse to get together and celebrate the essence of the festival.

“While the normal preparations of spring cleaning, festive shopping for crackers, sweets and diyas are on, I believe that festivals like Diwali are the perfect occasion for a family reunion and a celebration of these special moments with our loved ones,” she said.

Diwali this year is extra special for one-film-old actor Rajniesh Duggall as he is going to be a father soon.

“This Diwali has bought in great news for me. My wife is expecting and I am thrilled that I will become a father very soon. I am celebrating the festival with my in-laws in Delhi this time.

“Since my wife is expecting, I have planned a small family and friends get- together at our house. I have bought aroma candles which I shall be gifting to everyone,” he said.