For Tanushree Dutta, Diwali has always been about devotion and family time. The actress, who is gearing up to return to films after a long break, spoke to PeepingMoon and shared her plans to celebrate the festival of lights amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Tanushree said she'll be keeping low-key this Diwali as her sister, actress Ishita Dutta, is recovering from Dengue and her parents are travelling. "It's best I perform pooja and meditate on this auspicious day," she told us.

Talking about hosting Diwali parties on Diwali, Tanushree shared, "Diwali parties are the best! I have always been the princess of hosting parties and have hosted get-togethers on any and every occasion during better times. I do miss it sometimes but I'm sure that time will also come again too."

 
Recalling Diwali celebrations in her childhood, the actress said, "Diwali celebrations at my home were quite fun. The day would start early with preparations for pooja, which was attended by family members and served homemade bhog. Lastly, we would end the day by lighting diyas and bursting a few firecrackers. It was simple, homely and we ended our day thanking God for all that was given to us."
 
Sharing a prized memory, Tanushree told, "We always had the same routine every year on Diwali. My dad would chant, "Koppuri- jhoppuri" and we would fumigate our whole house once the guests left after the pooja. He was the only one to burst crackers as my mother, Ishita and I were scared.  

Tanushree was never a fan of firecrackers. Talking about cracker-free Diwali, she shared, "I love it. This should have happened long ago. I was never much into bursting crackers anyways. It hurts the street dogs and cats and scares them. Plus the pollution. It's not necessary at all."
 
When asked whether eco-friendly Diwali is the need of the hour, Tanushree said, "Yes, absolutely! We can all get a bit eco-conscious given all the climate change and factors that are affecting the planet. It's needed in India now and our fun should not hurt other creatures or the environment."