MUMBAI : With Diwali just around the corner, people are talking about a cracker-free, pollution-free Diwali, and are trying to create awareness. Karan Gulianii, who has made a name for himself with his directorial projects like Amrinder Gill, Ranjit Bawa-starrer Savann, which was produced under Priyanka Chopra’s banner, and Chandigarh Amritsar Chandigarh, starring Gippy Grewal and Sargun Mehta, is also in its support and said, “I am strongly against bursting crackers. If it were up to me, I would ban any kind of celebration across India that causes pollution and harms nature.”
Sharing a story from his childhood that changed his perspective, he said, “I was around 7-8 years old, and like all kids, I used to ask my parents for crackers every Diwali. One year, I told my dad that I wanted crackers, I remember this clearly. My dad said, ‘Son, crackers are not good because they harm nature. But I’ll give you 200 rupees, but on one condition, you have to burn those 200 rupees. So, he gave me the money, and as I was about to set it on fire, I realized, ‘What am I doing? I’m burning money.’ It hit me that spending money on crackers is just like burning money. From that day onwards, I don’t think I ever burst a cracker again.” "For me, it’s not just about the environment; it feels like burning money, and I just can’t bring myself to do that,” he added.
Karan is not too much about fashion and shared that for him comfort is always important when it comes to dressing. “I don’t really plan ahead or decide what specific outfits I should wear, whether traditional or not. Whatever makes me feel comfortable, be it shorts, a t-shirt, or anything else, works for me,” he said.
“I’m not someone who always chooses traditional outfits because, honestly, they’re not always comfortable. Based on my experiences, traditional clothes can sometimes be restrictive, and I value comfort above everything else. If something makes me feel uneasy, I avoid it. I’m very clear about this and don’t compromise on my comfort when it comes to dressing,” he added.
Karan prefers to indulge in traditional Indian sweets. He said, “During Diwali, I get really excited and keep asking for different types of sweets. I crave my favorite sweets, and it’s something I truly enjoy.”
But he is against the culture of gifting during Diwali. “I have experienced that when I get gifts, people start expecting things in return. If those expectations are not met, it damages the relationships and friendship. Instead of focusing on gifts, I believe in sharing good times together and enjoying each other’s company. For me, sitting down with friends, having conversations, playing cards in Diwali and spending quality time is much more important than exchanging gifts,” Karan ended.
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