Madhuri Dixit

As kids Diwali was a whole lot of fun. First of all it meant the house was thoroughly spring cleaned - we'd take soap and water and literally wash the house from end to end as if we had to wash away the evil from it or something - but for us kids it was more of playing in the soapy water and slipping on the floors and laughing our heads off when anyone fell.

The house had this festive atmosphere. There'd be stuff made specially for diwali - like chaklis and chivdas and mithai. New clothes was something we looked forward to with great anticipation - we already knew what we were going to buy each diwali. We'd try out so many new things to make the house look festive - we'd light real diyas and they'd keep going off so it was one persons duty to keep them burning. Then we'd take these small glasses and float the diyas in water in them so that they burnt for longer and we had this thing called floating diyas. As kids our eyes were always on the flame.

We used to have rangoli outside the front door, we'd buy the geru colour and do a little artistic design in rangoli; today people use these blocks and just pour the colour to make the design but we always did it with our hands - we'd put up the diwali lantern - and choose it with great care - we went through, the whole works in fact . And each thing gave us great pleasure. Diwali meant this saal mubarak thing which was a tradition.

All the kids used to go to everyones house to wish them saal mubarak and we'd be fed with great diwali mithais. What we'd do was we used to plan which house made the best stuff and then go to that house first and the houses where we didn't get good stuff we'd keep for the last. It was one big hogging trip for us kids. Every house in the colony was sure to receive a visit from our gang. Crackers were another high. Today though it's no-no to noisy crackers - mumbai is already so noisy but one does light a phuljhari or two.

Diwali was so special during childhood because it was associated with the 'diwali vacation too -it meant feast time in every way. For some reason diwali suggests joy - it's about everything new and bright. New clothes, even new shoes, new jewellery -starting from the feet till the head we got everything new-it was so exciting.

After my family migrated and my brothers and sisters got married - and I was alone with my parents - diwali didnt hold the same significance - I was mostly shooting on diwali so we'd have some celebration on the sets. I have celebrated diwali in the USA with my husband Ram - but it was nowhere as intense as in India - we did a bit of puja in the house but that was about it.

Diwali holds absolutely happy memories because we were all together - the whole family, the people in my building the kids all trying out daring things with crackers and getting scolded for it and falling into giggles - it's always been great fun. A time for optimism every year.

Diwali is very special to me right since childhood. It is truly a festival of lights for me. On Diwali day I make it a point to light up my whole house with diyas. Ever since I was a kid, I used to love lighting diyas. Though I enjoyed bursting crackers too, diyas had their own special charm for me. Also I am quite fond of those ethnic lanterns you hang up on the roof during Diwali. I'm quite partial to colourful sparklers too.

Amongst all four Diwali days, I adore the Laxmi Puja day and Bhai Dooj. Bhaidooj is special to me because of the special bond I share with my brother Rajiv. We are born on the same day (26 October) so we are very close. I can't function with his support. On Diwali and Bhaidooj, I make it a point to be in town unless I have a very important shooting schedule. I dress up in proper Diwali attire, in the choicest of ghagra cholis or silk sarees. And loads of jewellery. In day-to-day life, I like diamonds. They say diamonds are a girl's best friend, but on special occasions like Diwali, I bring out the family jewels, specially crafted and designed heavy gold and jadau.

On Diwali day I get up early, get dressed and do my puja. It's like a yearly ritual in our house. After that I feast on the mithai. Though I don't eat a lot of sweets, I make an exception for Diwali.

There is nothing special about the clothes I wear on diwali. I prefer wearing clothes that I am comfortable in. I simply love the festival of lights. I spend my maximum time with my family and prefer staying at home during the festival. Of course, the most important day is definitely Laxmi pujan where the entire family is involved. Pinky does the puja on that day.

I prefer wearing traditional stuff during diwali. I simply love this festival of lights. On Dhanteras, I buy something in gold. And Laxmi Pujan is the biggest and the most important day of them all. I make sure that I wear a saree for the puja.

Right since childhood, Diwali has held its own charm for me. It's a special day for me. Especially the Laxmi Puja day. On that day, I get up early and do my puja. I normally wear a simple salwar kameez at home if I am not expecting people. I dress up in proper formal attire when I go out. My favourite is an exquisite Abu Jani creation. I can't get enough of those. I'm not too keen on jewellery though I do wear some delicate designer pieces. Maybe a beautiful pair of earrings and paayals. Last year, I sported a diamond nose ring.

I'm not too fond of crackers. I especially hate those little bombs that make a lot of noise. Though I do love sparklers of all kinds. And yes, my mom lights up the whole house with little diyas and I help her out if I am at home.

For me, Diwali means lots of sweets, homemade Maharashtrian goodies like chaklis and karanjis. Diwali is one day where I catch up with all my relatives. My aunts and my uncles and of course my little nephews and nieces who I am crazy about. Plus this year my sister Gandhali will be celebrating her first Diwali after marriage so it's a special day for us.

Like every year, this year too, Pooja a spent few hours of her life with street kids. It has been a practice with her for the past few years to visit roadside children a few days before Diwali and distribute some phuljharis, balloons and sweets to them. "What's important to me, is that it feels right," quips Pooja and adds, "all they need is some love, caring and affection. I feel having spent some real quality time when they rejoice and it is hardly an effort."

Pooja doesn't need to go far to find poor children. She just asks her driver to drive on and gets down wherever she spots some on any pavement.

She avoids letting them know she is a film actress, so these kids, who hardly get a chance to watch films, don't recognise her and open up without inhibitions. "I sit and try to interact with them and just chill out while they enjoy playing with me. Making them happy gives me some kind of inner satisfaction."

Pooja hopes she could meet roadside kids more often and urges everyone to do the same. She says, "If you too could give a little joy to some deprived street kids, go ahead and try it once with an open heart, and i bet you will feel like doing something like this again and again. Try and make a beginning...today."

As told to Lata Khubchandani, Rohini Iyer and Bharati Dubey.