Dhanteras marks the auspicious beginning of the five-day Diwali festival, serving as a sacred gateway for welcoming health, wealth, and divine grace into our homes. For popular television star Shagun Pandey, the festival transcends material grandeur. For him, the day is deeply rooted in the warmth of family traditions, emotional resonance, and the timeless rituals that bring loved ones closer together.
When it comes to festive acquisitions, Shagun believes true prosperity cannot be measured by a price tag. “Dhanteras has never really been about how expensive the purchase is. Even buying something small in silver or gold with my family feels meaningful because it carries that emotion of bringing prosperity and positivity into the house. It’s the ritual and the family around it that I remember more than the actual purchase.”
If worldly limitations and practical constraints were entirely swept away, Shagun has a distinct luxury item in mind that mirrors his appreciation for life’s journeys—a sophisticated watch. “If money and practicality were completely out of the equation, I’d pick one really special, timeless piece that I could keep forever. I’ve always liked luxury watches because they’re not just accessories; they mark time and different phases of your life.”
While dream purchases are fun to imagine, Shagun stays delightfully old-school when festival season arrives. He prefers stepping out into the vibrant chaos of decorated markets over clicking through online carts. “I like physically going out, seeing the lights, the decorated markets and actually choosing something traditional— a gold coin that I never spend, keeping it as a reminder that every year I should be growing not only professionally or financially, but as a person too.”
Balancing gruelling shoot schedules means that television actors often spend major festivals away from their biological families. This year, taking centre stage to host Zee TV’s grand Diwali celebration added an unforgettable milestone to his career. “You’re shooting long hours, everyone is missing their families a little, and then suddenly somebody brings mithai, there are diyas around, and your co-stars become your family. This year, getting to host Zee’s Diwali celebration and carrying the evening on stage felt like work and celebration finally becoming the same thing.”
