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Deepika celebrates Diwali with family
Deepika Padukone turned down more than 40 invitations from big stores and NGOs for Diwali celebrations as she plans to celebrate the day with her family. The actor reveals her Diwali plans.
Deepika Padukone has a special association with the festival of lights. Her debut film Om Shanti Om, which was a 2007 Diwali release, went on to become a huge success. Four years later, the festive season has only become bigger and brighter for her. Ever since Deepika made her entry into Bollywood with the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer, she has been receiving numerous offers to inaugurate stores, make appearances, visit NGOs or give interviews around the festival. And the numbers have only been growing every year.
This year, Deepika has received at least 42 offers to inaugurate stores and visit NGOs. One of the leading jewellers, on condition of anonymity, says that besides being a huge star, ‘Deepika’, the name itself signifies light and prosperity. "So what’s better than calling a star that serves dual purpose?" he says.
But ask Deepika about her work schedule around this festival and she replies with a smile, "I would be strictly at home celebrating the festival of lights with my family members."
According to a source close to the actor, it has been extremely difficult to take up so many invitations, especially this year. "It’s the first Diwali that Deepika is celebrating in her new home (at Worli). In fact, she has called over her parents and sister from Bangalore for the festival. There is small puja at home and she wants to spend two days with her family. So, she has refused a lot of money in the bargain."