Diwali Bonanza

As palms start swaying gently to the cool November sea breeze, the tinsel towners know it’s time to celebrate. It’s time for excesses and indulgences. It’s time for fireworks and crackers. For mewa and mithai hampers. Siezed by the Diwali fever, Mumbai-ites go shopping and banging with all the abandon and gusto characteristic of Dream City. And as the festive spirit swirls and spreads happily, there’s reason for all to celebrate the festival of lights and fireworks. Reason all the more for rising stars who have emerged from the darkness of anonymity and discovered celebrityhood. SCREEN met up with wannabes-turned-most wanteds of the year to find out how they will celebrate their newfound stardom this year. How dazzling will this Diwali be for the nouveau celebs...

AFTAB SHIVDASANI
Making the cops happy
The Mast guy could go unnoticed in the busiest of streets of Mumbai until recently. After the release of Mast however, such a simple feat may prove to be hazardous for the cute face. Most likely to be mobbed and mauled by hysterical female fans - Aftab may as well stay off the streets. He’s hit big times alright.

Unlike last year when he hit the streets with his gang and burst crackers well past the midnight and got rounded off by cops, Aftab vows,"I won’t cross the limit this year. This is the happiest Diwali of my life. I love bursting crackers and I am going to have a big bang this time," he reveals excitedly. It had taken boxes of mithai and phatakas last year for Aftab and co. to get the cops off their tracks. But this year if ever he lands up in the hands of the custodians of law, he could well use his autograph to bail himself out.

ASHUTOSH RANA
Firing thousands of rockets
Dushman guy’s popularity may have dipped slightly with his hideous histrionics in Sangharsh this year, but then there’s little he could have done to make a child-sacrificer look appealing. Ashutosh Rana just played his part with conviction. But he tells us there’s lots more good stuff coming up and he hopes to redeem himself.

Diwali is clearly Rana’s favourite festival."I love Diwali - the smells and sounds of it. I round up all the neighbouring kids and get into the act. I love firing rockets. I fire 20 rockets at a time. I love the splash of colour and fire in the skies - it reflects my persona. This year too I am going to fire thousands of rockets and take up the sky," he announces happily. Rana is also very fond of lighting anaar and sending sparks swooshing up as to show his exhilaration. "Life is a celebration for me," he concludes merrily casting his arresting Scorpionic gaze.

MANOJ BAJPAI
With best pal Harsh Chhaya
For the immensely talented Satya star the past four Diwalis had been full of struggle and disappointments. But Satya changed his fortune, it shot him to fame. And as they say there has been no looking back since then. "All my troubles got over last Diwali. Satya made my dreams come true and I hit the roof last year," he reminisces and his face lights up at the happy memories.

Bajpai has a Diwali release this year, Shool - a poignant police drama that is tipped to be the movie of the year,"I hope this Diwali works another miracle with Shool," prays Manoj. This year he tells us he can be found lighting lamps and firing crackers with best pal Harsh Chhaya,"Harsh has been with me through thick and thin. He is a pillar of support for me," admits Manoj.

BOBBY DEOL
Away in Mauritius
After the resounding success of Soldier last year Dillagi will be Deol Jr’s much-awaited visit to the silver screen this year. Bobby has been shooting under debutant directorship of Sunny bhaiya for the last few weeks and the brothers are all set to release their film this year.

Diwali is a special family occasion for the reserved Deols. Being Arya Samajis, they have a havan at home which is attended by all the members of the household.

This year however, Bobs will be away from their palatial Juhu bungalow. "I will be in Mauritius shooting for Abbas-Mustan’s Talaash and I shall celebrate with the Indian community of the heavenly islands," he discloses. Bobby loves the festival of light and firecrackers," I just love the spirit and warmth it emanates," he adds with a deep-dimpling smile.

SANJAY KAPOOR
Bursting crackers in the USA
For the self-proclaimed oldest newcomer of the film industry the past year has been eventful in many ways than one. For starters he tied the knot with his lady love Maheep and then he made the cash registers jingle with Sirf Tum. He got the taste of sweet success after a long while. His first Diwali after shaadi and post the long-awaited box office certification had to be special - really special. But Kapoor tells us that he won’t be in town but he will be away in the USA on a stage tour. What about the Diwali celebrations, we ask him with concern. He smiles, runs fingers through his hair-line and replies, "Well there are so many Indians in the US for whom I shall be performing. I will join them in the festivities. "

PRIYA GILL
To the memory of Kargil war heroes
ABCL discovery, Priya Gill was re-discovered this year in Boney Kapoor’s Sirf Tum. Her career has got the much needed shot in the arm, yet Priya won’t be dancing on the roof with sparklers in hand this Diwali. An Army Brigadier’s daughter, Priya has lost several of her friends and acquaintances in the Kargil war,"I have lost my dear and near ones in this war and what’s most tragic is that they were all so young. I am going to have a very quiet Diwali this year. I shall light a lamp in the memory of the martyrs and pray for the departed souls. Peace be with them and may God give their families the courage to bear with the loss," she sighs sadly.

Deepa Karmalkar with inputs from Alok Mathur and Namita Nivas