MUMBAI:

What is Bollywood doing this Diwali? Be it Priyanka Chopra or debutant Ranbir Kapoor or TV actor Rohit Roy, this Diwali most Bollywood and small screen stars plan to keep it a family affair.

Priyanka Chopra: This Diwali I’ll be with my family. And can’t think of a better way to celebrate.

Ranbir Kapoor: Diwali is a huge event in our home. It’s even bigger this time because my debut film is being released. There’ll be the usual family puja. Diwali day would be the release of my film, so we’ll be praying harder than before. And of course loads of sweets. My grandmother cooks the most delicious Diwali delicacies in the world. I’m ready to brave the calories as long as my film opens to full galleries. Since my sister is down in Mumbai for my premiere, Diwali this year would be the way I like it — a family affair.

Shilpa Shetty: I’m in the midst of my show Miss Bollywood in Manchester. For Diwali I’ll be performing in London, doing a photo shoot for a magazine and then attending a Diwali party hosted by the Hinduja family.

Akshaye Khanna: I’ll be playing cards, sleeping very late and going for shooting late next morning. What else?

Bipasha Basu: Diwali this year will be spent, as always, with my family and friends. There will be a puja followed by dinner. I also want to clean up, renovate and probably repaint my house.

Koena Mitra: I’ll have a modest Kali puja and Laxmi puja at home. I like rangolis and diyas. I like crackers too — but from a distance. I don’t know how to play cards and I find it very boring to stand and watch others play. After the puja I’ll attend a few house parties at close friends’ places.

Arshad Warsi: Diwali for me is a day with the family. Me, Maria, Zeke and Zene Zoe... and that’s a happy Diwali for me. No crackers needed.

Suniel Shetty: Much as I’d like to be at home for Diwali, I’m in Istanbul, Turkey, playing producer for Mission Istanbul. But my wife and two children are here with me, since Diwali vacations are on. So that’s a blessing.

Celina Jaitley: This will be my first Diwali in India in three years. My best friend, Tanuj, is in town from London. I will be getting together with all my close friends. There’s Laxmi puja as well in my house. I’ll decorate my home with traditional diyas. We are incorrigible card players. And the sessions go on late into the night, with occasional indulgence in gujiya and sweets.

Lilette Dubey: I used to play cards long back for Diwali. Not any more. We’ll have a family puja at home and then spend the evening with friends.

Malaika Arora: I don’t play cards. But my husband Arbaaz will. For me this year Diwali is extra-special, it also happens to be my son’s birthday. So even more dhamaka. What more do I want?

Amrita Arora: I don’t play cards. But I’ll be with my family. Since it’s my nephew Arhaan’s birthday, it’s double celebration time in the family.

Vinay Pathak: I’m shooting in London at the moment. Diwali would be just another day. And since I’m on a diet, no indulgences.

Esha Deol: I don’t know how to play cards and I’m petrified of crackers. But I like to watch them go up. I love to light up our house with diyas. We’re in a new home this year, so Diwali is even more important.

Mahesh Bhatt: Bollywood is a gambler’s den. We gamble all through the year. Why do we need to play cards at Diwali?