Exclusive: Soundarya Sharma on how she celebrates Diwali: I make sure to be with my family; this time I will be shooting for Housefull 5

Actress Soundarya Sharma, who is going to make her Bollywood debut with Akshay Kumar and Riteish Deshmukh starrer Housefull 5, is super excited about the Festival of Lights—Diwali.

Soundarya spoke exclusively with Money Control ahead of Diwali and shared what she loves doing the most on Diwali and her childhood memories of the most loved festival of India.

Soundarya, who has shifted her base to Mumbai to pursue her acting career, says now that she stays in Mumbai, her karmabhoomi, she tries to replicate whatever her mom does on Diwali.

Soundarya performs arti, keeps Akhand jyot, lights candles and diyas, decorates her house, and makes ghar ka khana just like her mom.

"I feel lonely at times in Mumbai on Diwali, but it is my karma bhoomi. So I have to give that energy to this place as well, as this has become home away from home as well. So, I celebrate it the same way my mother does it. I adorn it with phool mala in every corner, put diya, and light akhand diya. I also buy Mithai for my house helps. I am more conservative, so no crackers; I have a fur baby at home. Being environment friendly, I avoid crackers. In Mumbai I will be visiting one or two friends’ homes, but I like to be at home and soaking in all the positivity. It feels amazing. Ghar Ka khana, whatever my mom does, I try and imitate her and do it by myself," she told us.

Remembering her childhood memories with Diwali back in Delhi, she said homemade food is one thing she relishes the most on this day.

"My favourite memory of Diwali is that first we do the kheel batashe ki pooja, then we get ready. We also perform Hanuman ji ki pooja where we make roti ka laddoo. So that's what my mother makes. Homemade food and pooja and lighting lamps, candles, and making rangoli at home. Lighting the house is part of our memory of Diwali, which we did every year. The most important part is the food, and uss din jo khane ka taste hota hai na that is different from the rest of the days. There is something about Diwali and shopping for sure," she added with a smile on her face.

For Soundarya, Diwali also means being with family, and she makes sure to be with her parents in her hometown even if she is abroad, but this time she will be shooting for her film Housefull 5 and will have to stay back in Mumbai.

"Diwali means family get-together, festivity, and new beginnings, and by default, it means love and light. It means happiness; all of us get together and celebrate it together. Puja, firecrackers, dressing up in the best ethnic. It has become the most important aspect of my life. It is very important, and I make sure wherever I am for Diwali I try to go home. But not this Diwali, I am not going home. But otherwise, wherever I am, I make sure to always go home. Diwali means festivity and celebrating it together and lots of prayers for everyone," she concluded.

Soundarya rose to fame after her participation in Bigg Boss 16. She was also seen in a few web series but is now waiting for her big Bollywood debut soon.