Diwali, the festival of lights, is much more than a celebration. It is one of those Indian festivals that lights up our hearts and binds us with a certain togetherness. From lighting diyas to making intricate rangolis, the aroma of fresh sweets, sparkle of a new dress and bursting crackers — every element of Diwali carries a deep meaning, a tradition that tells a story. Capturing some of these elements, we had actor Yash Daasguptaa turn muse for us for a special Diwali shoot at Rumors, the latest party pad on Chowringhee, that we wrapped up with a hearty chat. Excerpts.
We tried to capture the various elements of Diwali in today’s shoot. Which one did you enjoy most?
I think I shot with t2 after a long time but I think Diwali was the apt time for me to make a comeback in t2(smiles). t2 feels like family, we don’t consider t2 as a media house but more like an extended family. This time it was like coming back to the family. Among my favourites, I would pick the one in the black open jacket with the phooljhuri.
What do you prefer wearing during Diwali?
Honestly speaking, every year Nussrat (Jahan) fixes the outfit because if you leave it to me I will just wear a shirt and a denim and you will find me in a very sad look. So she makes sure that she comes up with a kurta that is the same for all the boys, which includes our pets as well!
Do you fix her Diwali outfit too? What do you think she looks best in?
I have a simpler job to do — she just asks me this or that? And I think she looks the best in saris and if its a western outfit it will be gowns.
Is there any tradition you follow on Diwali?
For Diwali it will be the rangoli, doing Ma Lakshmi Puja at night....
How was Diwali when you were growing up?
There is a lot of difference. I won’t lie, when I was young, we burst so many crackers and it was a lot of fun doing that. Ekhon jemon eto awareness aachhe, tokhon chhilo na. Kali Pujo mane chhilo kalipotka tokhon, chocolate bomb, but with time things have changed... I prefer sky lanterns now.
Any Diwali must-have food?
I think Kaju Katli.
Have you ever worked on Diwali? If so, how did you balance work and celebrating the festival?
Previously what I used to do was, onek jaigai Kali Puja hoto where you are called as guests, but I never considered that as work because I get to do my darshan also. Apart from that I don’t think Diwali te aar kono kaaj hoi.
How is it celebrating Diwali with your kids?
We go to the terrace and light sky lanterns. My elder one (Reyansh) is okay with charkis or tubris but the younger one is too scared of fire in general so he prefers the sky lanterns and feels involved also. As a father I wouldn’t want what I have done as a child (in the context of bursting crackers), may be at that age it felt stud-ish but it’s not.
Are you someone who enjoys going to Diwali parties or are you a homebody?
With us, Nussrat and I keep pushing each other... sometimes she goes, sometimes I do. And sometimes there are parties that are mandatory for us to attend.
How do you manage burning post-festivity calories?
Every year I have seen from October to beginning of January, it is a weight gain time, no matter how much you try. This is the time when you also want to indulge because everybody is celebrating. We prefer to eat healthy stuff and sometimes occasionally binge... it’s like a lifestyle because we don’t do crash diets. I work out four-five days a week, try to maintain my steps... walking is the best workout.
Also, belated happy birthday (October 10)! How was your trip?
This birthday was special because it was my 40th birthday and we (with Nussrat) went to Dubai. We believe in the concept of a birthday week rather than a day. So I had too much fun! This time we made sure it was just the two of us and it was quiet time as we prefer personal space — sitting at a cafe or in the desert or going for a camel ride....
Also getting henna tattoos with your initials?
(Laughs) Ya... I mean she got it done first and then I did, it was during the desert safari. So we ended up with each other’s initials done with henna.
That’s awesome! You guys have also got matchy tattoos...
How do you know? Yes, we have. We got it done this year when both of us decided to do so. We don’t believe in writing names and stuff so it was a geometric design that we decided on.
Your birthday trip to Dubai must have been loaded with yummy food?!
My issue when it comes to desserts is that I can’t stop myself when I start. That’s the reason I refrain, because I can’t have one piece and say hoye gechhe. If I start having, I can finish one box at a go, that Nussrat also knows. This time in Dubai we went to Godiva, and we hogged and hogged, like we had marshmallows with pistachio hot chocolate, chocolates with kunafa... and our lunch was based there, so you can imagine!
But you don’t look 40!
In Dubai, I was asked for my ID! I told the bouncer that I was celebrating my 40th! But, there was no way out. Even Nussrat had to show. This was not the first time though, back in London, I recall I was shooting for something and there too, I was asked for my ID when some of us had gone out.
Any other fitness regimen that you follow?
I would say that don’t believe in all these Instagram reels and stories on getting fit. Fitness is very personal, till the time you are fit, you are good to go. Previously I used to do a lot of HIIT because it was a trend but I don’t believe in it anymore, it’s not good for your joints. I like strength training, I walk, sometimes I go for a run outside if the weather is supportive.
A fitness food you swear by...
(Smiles) Protein in any form. Apart from that I take a lot of supplements like multi-vitamins, magnesium, vitamin C, fish oil... because aajker din-e only food e oi nutrition nei aage ja chhilo. And I have a lot of whole food. I have seen my grandfather be superbly fit at 75 but the food they had, we don’t have anymore. Then I read a lot of books on fitness too.
Pictures: Pabitra Das
Styling: Sumit Sinha
Hair: Abinash Bhowmik
Make-up: Abhijit Das
Location: Rumors
Decor: UD Events & More