Having grown up in Kota, Rajasthan, Jasmine Bhasin, who now lives in Mumbai, shares that Diwali reminds her of home and evokes nostalgia.
“To me, Diwali means a time of celebration, get-togethers, delicious food, and prayers to thank God for abundance and growth,” says actor Jasmine Bhasin, who was recently seen in the Punjabi film Ardaas Sarbat De Bhale Di.
Having grown up in Kota, Rajasthan, Jasmine Bhasin now lives in Mumbai, where Diwali brings a wave of nostalgia. “My fondest Diwali memories are from home in Kota, growing up in a joint family. Every year was so much fun with family vacations, new clothes, and everyone playing specific roles in the celebration. My uncles would bring the patakhas. It was a beautiful way to bring positivity and festivities together, something I really miss.”
This year, Jasmine Bhasin’s plans are especially meaningful. “I love celebrating festivals, and Diwali is one of my favorites. My mom is traveling from Kota to Mumbai because she knows I feel sad alone on Diwali; it’s all about family and friends,” she says. “Last year, I missed it because I was shooting Carry On Jattiye in London. Despite that, my team celebrated Diwali with me there.”
With her mom visiting, Jasmine looks forward to hosting a Diwali dinner with close friends and her partner Aly Goni in attendance. “I’m looking forward to celebrating at home with my mom, friends, and family, including Aly.”
When asked about attending industry Diwali parties, Bhasin shares, “Though we (Aly and Jasmine) have been together for a long time, we haven’t attended Diwali parties together due to my travel schedule. This year, we plan to attend all our friends’ parties and not miss any celebrations,” she says. “I’ve been in Mumbai for 12 years and have only gone to three or four Diwali parties because I was usually traveling. I’d just see pictures on social media, wishing I could be there. This year, I’m excited to see if the parties are as fun as they look online.”
When it comes to her Diwali outfit, Bhasin plans to go traditional. “My go-to Diwali outfit is usually a saree or lehenga. I love both and try to stick to them. This year too, I’ll keep it traditional.”
Does she have any special Diwali traditions? “One of my own Diwali traditions is making besan ladoos, my favorite treat growing up. My mom always made them at home for Diwali,” she recalls. “Now, whenever I’m not in Kota, I make sure to replicate that tradition. This year, my mom will be here to make them for me.” She adds, “As a kid, I loved lighting up diyas and placing them all over the house. It’s something I never miss, even if I’m on set.”
Discussing how she balances work and festivities, Jasmine Bhasin says that “work is a priority,” but she also “values time with family.” “Being with family and friends brings me happiness and positivity, which fuels my work. I celebrate as much as I can, no matter how busy I am,” she concludes.
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