Hollywood and Bollywood stars recently came together in separate glamorous gatherings in New York City and Mumbai to celebrate this year’s Diwali, the Festival of Lights.
The Festival of Lights: A major cultural event for the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain diaspora, Diwali holds profound significance for Indians worldwide. This ancient festival, rooted in Hinduism, symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. As the Festival of Lights approaches on Nov. 12, these celebrations help set the stage for a global acknowledgment of Diwali’s cultural richness and significance.
Diwali, NYC style: On Friday night, over 200 guests gathered at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel for the New York Diwali Gala. Co-hosted by influential figures like Vanity Fair’s Radhika Jones, former US Attorney Preet Bharara and actor Kal Penn, the event welcomed celebrities such as Huma Abedin, Ariana DeBose, Ronan Farrow, Jenna Lyons, Jessel Taank, Gabriela Hearst, Benj Pasek and Jason Wu.
The gala was not just a night of celebration but a symbol of support for the Asian American Writers’ Workshop, emphasizing the importance of inclusion, diversity, and breaking cultural barriers.
Celebrating Diwali at home: On Sunday evening, Manish Malhotra’s star-studded Diwali bash in Mumbai welcomed Bollywood’s elite, including Rekha, Nita Ambani, Karan Johar, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Aditya Roy Kapur, Ananya Panday, Janhvi Kapoor and Kiara Advani, among others.
The star-studded event centered on culture and style and saw Indian celebrities donning traditional ensembles. The gala exhibited a grand showcase of Bollywood fashion with local stars stunning the crowd in resplendent traditional ensembles. Prominent figures including Gauri Khan, Pooja Hegde, and Janhvi Kapoor also graced the event.
