Priyanka Mohan's Diwali is all lit, minus the crackers

From childhood Diwali memories and family traditions to why she has given up bursting crackers, Priyanka Mohan talks about what the Festival of Lights means to her. “This year, I’ll be celebrating Diwali at home with a few people. Just dressing up, doing puja and probably visiting the temple,” she says in a chat with Chennai Times. Excerpts:‘Diwali is a festival of light, love and happiness’For Priyanka, Diwali is as much about spreading joy as it is about celebrating the festival. “Diwali is a festival of light, love, colour, happiness and peace. As we grow older, we all have our own challenges, but we need to take a moment to pamper ourselves, enjoy life and spread love and joy. Energy is contagious, and we should choose to spread the right kind of energy to those around us,” she says.‘Getting new clothes for Diwali was a big deal in my family’Recalling her childhood celebrations, Priyanka says the festival was all about family, food and new clothes. “My family would gather in one place, get ready and perform puja at home. The women would prepare an elaborate spread, which we would enjoy on banana leaves. Even the sweets were homemade. In the evening, we would burst crackers and watch TV. Getting new clothes for Diwali was a big deal in my family, and all of us would wear new outfits.”One tradition that continues to be part of their celebrations is the ritual oil bath. “On Diwali morning, we apply heated oil on our heads and bodies. We then sit in the sun for a while to let the oil soak in. That's a tradition that we still follow.”I consider all the Diwali sweets we receive out of love from family, friends and people we work with to be the biggest gifts. I really appreciate people sharing gifts because it makes one feel loved, and that is more important‘Kajjaya is a Diwali special at home’When it comes to festive dressing, Priyanka prefers to keep things fuss-free. “My go-to Diwali look would be something simple, perhaps a pretty salwar. If I have to dress up a little more, I would opt for a sari,” she says.Food, of course, is another highlight. Among the festive treats she looks forward to is Kajjaya, a traditional Karnataka sweet prepared at home during Diwali. “I enjoy it so much. In general, though, gulab jamun is my favourite sweet during festivals,” she shares.‘I’m not a fan of bursting crackers and advocate against it’Though she enjoyed bursting crackers as a child, Priyanka says she has gradually moved away from the practice. “Something changed as I grew older, and I stopped bursting crackers altogether. It was probably the noise and pollution, and how they affected animals, that really bothered me,” she says.The sight of smoke-filled skies the following morning only reinforced her decision. “I would also ask my friends not to burst too many crackers because of how it affected the air the next day. The sky gets foggy and smoky, and we end up inhaling chemicals that are harmful to our health and that of other creatures. I’m not a fan of bursting crackers and actively advocate against it. It isn't safe, and it harms both us and the environment. We need to be mindful of our actions,” she says.Something changed as I grew older, and I stopped bursting crackers altogether‘You sometimes miss out on being with family & friends during festivals when you’re shooting’While she tries to be home for Diwali, work commitments can sometimes get in the way of family celebrations. “We get only a few days off during festivals. When we're in the middle of a shoot, we sometimes miss out on being with family and friends or planning something around the occasion. But I'm not complaining. I enjoy this experience as well,” she says.Projects in Tamil, Telugu & Kannada... On the work front, Priyanka has several projects in the pipeline, most of which are nearing completion. “I've started shooting for Mari Selvaraj sir's Manjanathi, in which I play the titular role. I also play the lead in Arasan, directed by Vetri Maaran sir and starring Simbu sir,” she shares.She is also working on Hemanth M Rao's Kannada film 666 Operation Dream Theatre, an untitled Tamil film co-starring Kavin, and the Telugu film Tulabaram alongside Ravi Teja. “For Tulabaram, I'm reuniting with Vivek Athreya for the second time after Saripodhaa Sanivaaram. I'm also doing a female-centric film, which is almost complete.”Get the latest Bollywood & Entertainment News, and more. Download the TOI app.Give your child the gift of confidence! Claim your exclusive TOI Masterclass spot today!