Isha Koppikar has shared her fond memories of Diwali and said the festival has moved away from its true spirit over the years. Recalling the celebrations of her childhood, she spoke about family bonding, homemade sweets and traditions, and urged people to celebrate responsibly.
Isha Koppikar shares fond memories of a week-long festival
For Isha Koppikar, Diwali has always meant family, rituals and happy moments. She remembered a time when the festivities went on for more than a week, with the house being decorated, sweets being prepared and pujas being performed together.As a child, she and her brother would help their mother with the preparations, from cleaning the house to making sweets and packing gifts. Speaking to The Free Press Journal, Isha said, “Diwali was one of the best days for us. We used to celebrate for over a week. Me and my brother used to help our mother in preparing sweets, cleaning our house and also packing gifts. We used to sit and perform pujas with our parents, and my mother used to tell us different stories about Diwali. So when such values and positive thoughts are imbibed in children from a very young age helps shape their life thereafter. It makes them aware and better individuals.”
Isha Koppikar says, ‘Who burns the biggest crackers has become the trend’
The actress feels the way people celebrate the festival has changed a lot. According to her, family gatherings and sharing sweets with neighbours have taken a back seat, while loud and costly firecrackers have taken centre stage.Isha said Diwali should not become a contest over who bursts the biggest crackers. She also stressed that people must think about the environment and animals while celebrating.The ‘Don’ actress said, “Diwali today has lost its significance, how it used to be back in the days. Diwali is more than just burning crackers. It is spending time with loved ones, cooking sweets and distributing them in neighbourhoods and amongst friends. Today, the latter part has subdued, and who burns the biggest crackers has become the trend. Even we burnt them when we were kids, but there has to be a caution about the environment too. We can’t want to celebrate a festival and at the same time go on disrupting the environment and voiceless animals. Festivals are supposed to be a celebration for everyone.”
Isha Koppikar’s simple Diwali plans this year
This year, Isha is keeping her celebrations low-key. Instead of grand festivities, she plans to enjoy the occasion with her loved ones through prayers, good food and time together.Sharing her plans, she said, “This year we have some small get-together planned with family and friends. Praying, eating, and making memories.”Isha Koppikar’s views on Diwali come at a time when a political row over actor Dia Mirza’s anti-cracker video, made for the BMC, is still being discussed.
What is the Dia Mirza row?
Dia Mirza recorded a video for the BMC’s awareness drive, urging Mumbaikars to celebrate the festival while being mindful of noise and air pollution. The BMC removed the video hours after BJP Mumbai chief Ameet Satam objected to it on X. Satam wrote, “Our traditions are deeply rooted in our culture.” Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde also criticised the video. Similar videos by Madhuri Dixit, Nishigandha Wad and Ajinkya Rahane stayed online. The BMC has not explained why only Dia’s clip was taken down.
Bombay High Court steps in
Dia questioned why she was being criticised, saying the video had been approved by the Bombay High Court and the BMC. The court later expressed “deep pain and displeasure” over the controversy and asked the BMC to re-upload the clip. One report said the BMC had not yet re-uploaded the video even after the court’s Thursday evening deadline.
Isha Koppikar’s work front
On the work front, Isha Koppikar was last seen in the Tamil film titled ‘Ayalaan’. Directed by R Ravikumar, the film was released in theatres in January 2024.