Manish Malhotra's annual Diwali party is one of Bollywood's most anticipated festive gatherings. While photographs of celebrities arriving in designer outfits dominate social media, the celebrations inside the fashion designer's Mumbai home remain relatively private. Now, accounts of the party shared across multiple media reports have offered a glimpse into the traditions, guest list and star encounters that make the evening special.
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This year, around 300 guests reportedly attended the celebration, compared with the nearly 400 who usually turn up. The gathering takes place at Malhotra's five-storey residence in Pali Hill, where the guest list includes actors, filmmakers, business personalities and members of prominent Bollywood families.
300 guests and hundreds of designer outfits
Manish Malhotra's creations are a defining part of the annual celebration. Reports suggest that guests are expected to wear outfits by the designer, with his team preparing close to 300 looks in just six days for the occasion.
The celebrity arrivals are another major part of the evening. A designated area in the parking lot is reportedly arranged for photographs, where guests pose for a large gathering of paparazzi before heading inside.
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This year's guest list featured several familiar faces, including Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Nita Ambani, Akshay Kumar, Twinkle Khanna, Vicky Kaushal, Karan Johar, Zoya Akhtar, Madhuri Dixit, Kajol, Kriti Sanon, Malaika Arora, Huma Qureshi, Sanya Malhotra, Janhvi Kapoor, Ananya Panday and Shanaya Kapoor, among others.
Aishwarya and Abhishek's appearance together also drew attention, with the couple sharing a rare public moment at the gathering.
Shah Rukh Khan reportedly avoids the cameras
Despite being one of the biggest stars on the guest list, Shah Rukh Khan is said to prefer keeping his presence inside the party away from the cameras.
According to media reports, the actor uses a private entrance at the back of the house to avoid the paparazzi. He also reportedly does not encourage guests to photograph him inside the venue. His longtime bodyguard Ravi Singh is said to request that anyone who manages to take a picture delete it.
The reports further suggest that guests who share unauthorized photographs of the actor could risk not receiving an invitation to future gatherings.
Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai's reported turn on the white sofa
The second floor of Malhotra's home is said to be the main party area, with a living room, dining space, two terraces, a bar and an entertainment room.
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One of the more talked-about details from previous editions concerns a plush white sofa in the living room. Reports claim that Salman Khan tends to occupy the spot when he attends the party, with guests taking turns to meet and greet him.
Madhuri Dixit is among those said to have visited the actor there. After Salman leaves, Aishwarya Rai reportedly takes the same seat, adding an interesting detail to the party's informal celebrity rituals.
Shah Rukh Khan takes over the dance floor after midnight
Shah Rukh Khan is reportedly among the later arrivals at the celebration. Once he has greeted guests, the actor heads to the entertainment room, where the DJ plays his popular songs and the dance floor becomes the center of attention.
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According to media accounts, SRK can spend close to two hours dancing at the party. He is often joined by daughter Suhana Khan and her friends Ananya Panday and Shanaya Kapoor. Agastya Nanda, who has been linked to Suhana in media reports, is also said to be part of the group.
From its elaborate fashion preparations to its private celebrity encounters and late-night dancing, Manish Malhotra's Diwali party has become much more than a star-studded photo opportunity. It is also one of Bollywood's most closely watched festive traditions.