Here's how Deepika Padukone plans to ring in Diwali 2020 with family

After a tumultuous year, it is finally time to open-heartedly welcome the festive season with Diwali 2020. Actor Deepika Padukone, in a recent interview, opened up about her plans for the day and recalled her childhood in Bangalore. 

Deepika said that right from her childhood days, in Bengaluru, Diwali has "always been an extra special festival" for her. But this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, Deepika Padukone plans to "keep things quite low key." 

In an interview with Hindustan Times, she said, "It’s been a difficult year for many in different ways [owing to the pandemic]. So, what we intend to do is, to stay at home, do a simple puja and spend time with family." 

She added, "Honestly, we are going to keep things quite low key, keeping in the mind the sensitivity (of the situation) towards the environment and the people around us. It’s been a difficult year for many in different ways [owing to the pandemic]."

Deepika also said that this year, on Diwali, "she wishes for everybody, good health, and peace of mind. And that’s my prayer for people most of the time, even when I wish them on their birthdays as I feel that’s the real core of everything we do. Everything else is secondary."

Deepika also spoke about the best thing about the festival of lights and said, "For me, it’s the diyas as I am all for the light. Also, in my family, everyone’s names -- dad, Prakash, mum, Ujjala, sister Anisha -- including mine, are actually different synonyms of the word, light. Hence, Diwali has always been an extra special festival for us, and lighting diyas is my thing (smiles). Keeping them ready, readying the wick, putting ghee and lighting them, during the pooja, is what I look forward to the most.