Vaishali Arora, who plays Ria in Udne Ki Aasha produced by Rahul Kumar Tewary and Rolling Tales Production on Star Plus and Disney+ Hotstar, recently opened up about her Diwali traditions, fond memories, and how she’s celebrating this year.
For Vaishali, Diwali is about spending time with close ones after the puja, enjoying a delicious meal, and indulging in plenty of sweets. She also shared a cherished ritual of painting diyas, a tradition she holds dear. “I love painting diyas by myself,” she said. “I’d buy clay diyas, lots of colors, and decorate them. It’s something that makes me very happy.”
One of her favorite memories on set was filming a Diwali ad. The festive atmosphere, beautiful clothes, and lights made it feel like Diwali, even though it was shot before the actual festival. “That’s the beauty of filmmaking—you create that environment even when it’s not Diwali,” she reflected.
Her childhood Diwali memories are especially close to her heart. Vaishali reminisced about visiting her father’s office for a special puja, preparing in advance, and waking up early with her family. “I used to feel like the boss because it was my dad’s office,” she fondly recalled. After the puja, a festive lunch with diverse cuisines was a highlight, and she’d end the day making rangolis and helping with the home puja.
This year’s Diwali is a bit different. Instead of celebrating with her parents, Vaishali will spend it with her friends and co-actors, marking a bittersweet change. “I’m missing my parents, but I’m excited to celebrate with my friends and some new people,” she shared. This unique celebration will add to her cherished Diwali memories.
