#5MinutesOfFame Diwali Edition with Mahhi Vij and Jay Bhanushali
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Thanks for stopping by!
Diwali is the perfect time to catch up with people you love, share food and walk down memory lane. And what better person than your spouse to celebrate the festival of happiness.
In today’s #5MinutesOfFame, we have Tinsel Town’s power duo, Mahhi Vij and Jay Bhanushali, the people known for spreading love and kindness on social media. If you’re looking for a cute Instagram couple, here they are! Cute baby pictures, keepers of the #couplegoals title, and inspiration to many are what define who they are.
We got them to share their Diwali plans with us, and trust us; you’d totally want to know what’s cooking in their festive lives.
What does Diwali mean to you?
Mahhi Vij: Diwali is the time where we all get-together. It means celebrations, positivity, and lots of light without crackers as I am not fond of it.
Jay Bhanushali: Diwali is my favourite festival, except for when people burst crackers and pollute the air. Not a fan! Overall, I enjoy the feeling of visiting people, celebrating with friends and family, playing cards, etc. It’s the perfect time to unwind with people you love.
How do you plan to celebrate Diwali this year? What will be different considering the current situation?
Mahhi Vij: Diwali is going to be different this time because we won’t be going to people’s houses to play cards or even get-together. This year, I don’t think it is advisable to have a lot of friends over too. I am definitely going to avoid meeting friends. But I will have my family over and we’re going to have our own mini-Diwali party at home.
Jay Bhanushali: This Diwali, I am going to play a little smart. Usually, we go out and celebrate with family, but because of the pandemic, it is important that we celebrate at home, safely. I know, we no longer have the patience, but it’s just a matter of time till things go back to normal. Right now, all you have to do is think about the health of your family and yourself. That’s the priority.
When you work with multiple brands during Diwali, do you have any brands that you connect with better than others and why?
Mahhi Vij: Cadbury, because all you need is one look at it and it will instantly remind you of Diwali. Kinder Joy is also another brand that is close to my heart.
Would you like to give any tips to influencers out there, trying to make festive content?
Mahhi Vij: Make videos that promote a cracker-free Diwali. While it is important to have loads of fun, we should also keep in mind that animals get very scared of the sound of crackers, and it adds on to the pollution.
Jay Bhanushali: This Diwali has to be all about #DigitalDiwali
Influencers should create content that talks of new ways to celebrate Diwali with friends and family through the digital medium. That would be the best messaging right now. It is also important to spread positivity through your content. Nowadays, I have realised that there’s too much negative content all around the world. Since Diwali equals happiness, you should share happiness through your content.
What moment inspired you to be where you are today?
Mahhi Vij: I come from a middle-class family and growing up, I have always wanted to give my family a better life. So, everything that I did was for them. I would put my heart, soul, and sweat in whatever I did so that my family would be happy and proud, at the end of the day. It’s still there in the back of my mind, and that inspires me to do better.
Jay Bhanushali: Ever since I went to school, I knew that a 9-5 job was not my forte. As a child, I had a very creative mind and would do crazy stuff so I knew I was either going to be an actor or a cricketer. And, for some reason, fortunately, things fell into place and I work in a field that I have always wanted to be in. Touchwood, people still love me so it feels nice to have entertained people for so many years now. When you’re in public and you see people rushing towards you with a wide smile on their faces, that happiness keeps me motivated to do more for them. When they appreciate my work, I feel inspired.
We all have idols we look up to. Who was yours growing up, and why?
Mahhi Vij: I look up to my parents, any day. They helped me learn how to handle tough situations, be socially responsible, put in the hard work to achieve anything in life, not cheat and be loyal, and finally, become a better person every passing day.
Jay Bhanushali: Imran Khan and Sanjay Dutt are my all-time favourite actors. Ever since I saw Sanjay Dutt’s Khalnayak for the first time, I have always wanted to play his role in the film’s sequel, if at all it happens. It’s one of my favourite characters in Bollywood movies.
If you weren’t famous, what would you be up to right now?
Mahhi Vij: I would have been a housewife. All my life, I have been working, and after a point, you just need a break. That’s exactly what I am doing now. But, at the same time, I am grateful that I work side-by-side. It’s almost as though my life is just perfect!
Jay Bhanushali: I would have been in the same line of work as I am in right now, but would have worked as a Creative Director of a show. I have always wanted to explore my creative side. This is the only profession that gives me the liberty of working in my own terms and conditions. There have been days where I have worked 24/7, but there were some days when my creative juices weren’t flowing so I had to take a mental vacation. I wouldn’t have the liberty to do so if I had worked in a different field. This is the only industry that gives me the pleasure of choosing the right time to work.
What is one message you would like to give to an upcoming influencer?
Mahhi Vij: Influencers are killing it on social media. I can see a lot of hard work being put. I am an advocate of ‘work hard, and things will fall into place’, and when I see that in the content these influencers push out, I know that they’re going to achieve greater heights of success.
Jay Bhanushali: Enjoy your life. Be real. I see a lot of content where everything is staged. Today’s audience is very smart and intelligent, and they know the difference between real and fake. So keep it real, have fun but never inspire others in a negative way.
What is that one message you would like to give to brands looking for an influencer collaboration?
Jay Bhanushali: Rather than hard-selling, I wish brands would consider seamless integration of their offerings in the influencer’s content as that would be more impactful.
How would you like to be remembered?
Mahhi Vij: A good human being.
Jay Bhanushali: My passion in life is to be known for all my good things. I always say this – If you have the money, it’s always better to do something meaningful with it rather than spend it on useless things that won’t give you happiness. I would be happy if people remembered me as the actor who was humble in life and who did his part in whatever way he could.
