Bollywood's biggest Diwali gamble: ‘Son of Sardaar’ to beat ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’

Published Monday, November 12, 2012

By Sanskriti

Everyone is placing their cards on the table, betting if ‘Son of Sardar’ will be able to take on the mighty ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ this Diwali. But let’s face it’s the card parties that will rule the roost.

Diwali is the only time of the year when I get down to playing cards at parties with friends and family. This time too it will be all about chilling with friends and wooing lady luck," says director Prakash Jha.

Millions of rupees are expected to exchange hands this time around. Akshay Kumar and Kunal Kohli are some of the industry’s big players and make it a point to win most of the time.

Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan too have made appearances late into the night at such parties hosted at Juhu by a TV biggie. But ever since the bigwig shifted to Dubai, the parties have reduced. But now he is back and he says, "I am expecting around a crore at least to exchange hands."

The most famous is Shabana Azmi’s parties, which rock the entire industry. Though the husband-wife duo – Javed Akhtar and Shabana – don’t like to publicise it, Azmi was heard saying she will have a party with friends and family. Dino Morea for one never misses the taash parties. "I like playing with friends every year during Diwali. It’s quite a normal thing for us," says Dino.

There are those who play it for fun and not money. Actor Sammir Dattani says, "My friends have planned a house party with taash, especially poker. But there is no money involved. It's only gifts.”

Sonali Bendre and Goldie Behl’s place is another hotspot to play cards and make the most of the festive season. “Diwali is the time to be spent with family. But playing cards is a must,” says Goldie, for whom it is a tradition.

Celebrating Diwali in the right spirit, Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty have coupled up their party along with the housewarming for their new house in suburban Mumbai. The crème de la crème of the B-town is expected to attend. Cards only serve as flavor, and hence will be played simply for its traditional importance. Although Shilpa says she’s still a “novice at Poker”, husband Raj is said to be very good.

But there are some who try to completely avoid this ‘tradition’. Jackie Shroff prefers charity during the festive season. "My way of celebrating Diwali is to give gifts to children from orphanages and also to street children. I give the kids whatever they want, from sweets to crackers. Helping the needy is a good habit. It makes them happy," adds Jackie Shroff.

With Munni's charm and Jackie's charity among other taash parties, the festival of lights in Bollywood will be much to look forward to.

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