Birthday and New Year—combined celebrations—Bollywood mein joshila jashan ?

As we usher in the grand New Year 2022, we must mention some of the top Bollywood celebrity names whose Birthdays coincide with the New Year ( January 1st) . Starting with veteran actor-director Nana Patekar. star actress-model Vidya Balan. star model-actress Sonali Bendre and of course veteran actor-director-comedian Asrani - Chaitanya Padukone

Every year in Bollywood industry, the New Year Eve brings in nayi umang, dhher saari ummeed, aasha aur kaamyaabi ki tezz kirnne—abundant hope, happiness and golden rays of shining success.

This new year 2022 hopefully will also be a divine messenger of aaneywaale acche din, good health & prosperity for everyone.

Unfortunately due to the latest Omicron-Corona strict-restrictions for New Year Eve, those from Bollywood who are putting up live dance shows, live musical concerts and live parties and celebrations may incur heavy losses.

Unlike most of her filmy colleagues who love chilling out late-night in different wild parties, media-friendly lead National Award-winning actress Vidya Balan has always believed in with austere traditional ‘cake-cutting’ party with her own family, debonair producer-husband Siddharth Roy Kapur and close friends at her spacious residence.

In the past as a ‘single- girl she would always say to me, “Maybe I may seem the boring odd-girl-out.

But I love to live and lead my life the way I wish to. As is my daily routine I love to visit the nearby Sai Baba temple for ‘darshan’ and seek the blessings of my parents. Instead of freaking out all-night at discotheques, I definitely prefer attending early morning raga-based ‘live’ fusion music concerts,” shrugs the ‘Mission Mangal’ versatile actress.

Similarly dignified actress-model-dancer Sonali Bendre-Behl ( also a brave cancer-survivor) is also the family- loving and homely types who prefers the company of her own family and her close friends when she is bringing in her birthday and Happy New Year. “ For me it’s also more of a delightful occasion of a reunion of my close friends and family who bring optimistic cheer into my life, “ Sonali said to me some years ago.

Known to be a discreet philanthropist ( like his friend Southside superstar Rajinikanth) who avidly supports social and medical causes, 71 years old agile Nana Patekar (real name : Vishwanath) prefers not to spend only on himself and instead help those who are genuinely in need.

For him, a birthday and new year is more an occasion to catch up with drama-theatre-friends and filmy colleagues and celebrate on an austere traditional manner.

“Helping people and NGOs is among my priorities and I do not wish to media-hype my charitable deeds,” simple, modest Nana once told me when I asked him why he avoids hosting personal New Year lavish celebration parties.

As far as the boisterous yet impactful legendary comedian-actor-director Asrani ( 82 years) is concerned, he also is known to be a homely-man preferring to be in the midst of his family members.

Although modest Govardhan Asrani-bhai has been a great entertainer at private parties (I have attended several such parties and seen him regale the guests with his fabulous mimicking talents), he is a private person at heart and opens up only with those very close to him.