Neel Samarthh: Diwali gives me a reason to shop till I drop!

Actor Neel Samarthh, who has been seen in shows such as Bahu Hamari Rajni Kant, Kundali Bhagya and Waaris, says that he loves shopping on Diwali. He adds that there are great sales and he makes sure to buy all that he wants. 

“Shopping is my favourite thing. I'm a spent thrift. So even if I go to buy a pair of clothes, I buy more. And Diwali gives me a great reason to shop till I drop because there are a lot of sales, a lot of things happening in the market. There is new stock. So, I shop a lot. And with the ethnic, traditional wear, I also buy the regular clothes, the formals, the casuals and a lot of things, actually,” he says.

Talking about what the festival means to him, he says, “Diwali is a special and joyous celebration that I've always looked forward to with enthusiasm and happiness. It holds a significant spiritual meaning as it marks the return of Lord Ramji to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. On a personal level, Diwali brings back fond memories from my school days when we would take a break from studies. My dad used to buy us new clothes, firecrackers, and lots of delicious sweets, which made me very happy. However, there is one aspect of Diwali that I don't like, and that's the use of loud firecrackers which can harm and distress animals. What bothers me the most is that animals can't express their pain and suffering like humans can. They endure accidents, fear, and discomfort due to the loud noise from firecrackers during both Diwali and other festive occasions. I also dislike the environmental pollution caused by the excessive use of firecrackers. Despite my love for Diwali, I wish people would be more mature and considerate when it comes to the well-being of animals. It's important for us to be mindful of the pain we unintentionally cause to these voiceless creatures during this otherwise joyous festival.”

Diwali creates lots of noise and air pollution, he says, adding, “In India, it's a sad reality that many people can be insensitive and uninformed. They tend to prioritise their own desires and often indulge in showing off during festivals like Diwali. They light loud and extravagant firecrackers without considering the harmful consequences for the environment. This behaviour is certainly disheartening.”
He says, “I hope, over time, people will become more aware of the environmental impact of their actions, particularly in terms of pollution there is a possibility that people will eventually change their behaviour and show greater consideration for nature and the well-being of all living creatures.”
Meanwhile, eating is another thing that he loves to do on Diwali. “I've always had a sweet tooth, and I absolutely love eating sweets during Diwali. My top favourite is Kaju Katli. Another sweet I really enjoy is the one with a layer of Malai, and Rasgulla. I also like these Mava sweets. During Diwali, I completely forget about my diet and indulge in these delicious treats without any second thoughts.”

Talking about Dhanteras, he says, “I haven't made any specific plans for Dhanteras. I'm quite a gadget enthusiast, and I'm really passionate about gadgets. I'm not certain if I'll buy a new gadget this Dhanteras because I already own quite a few. However, it depends on whether I come across something interesting or if there's a great deal. I might just end up making a purchase if I find something that really appeals to me.” 

Festive time is fun, but hectic too, he says, adding, “Festive times are indeed a lot of fun, but they can be quite hectic too, especially as we grow older. In our childhood, we didn't have many responsibilities, and we could simply enjoy the festivities, the rituals, and the festivities. However, now that we've all grown up, there are more responsibilities to manage. I'm quite spiritual, as I've mentioned before, and I engage in various pujas and rituals during Diwali, like the Lakshmi puja, Ramji ki puja, and Hanumanji puja. There's a lot to do, and it's about finding a balance between the pre-Diwali preparations, cleaning, decorating the house, and the actual puja. I do manage to strike a balance, but it can be challenging when I'm working on a shoot. Most of the time, I prefer to celebrate Diwali with my family, but I'm not entirely sure if I'll be able to do that this year due to my busy schedule.”