As the year rolls to an end, rediff.com asked some television stars what their New Year resolutions were. And here's what they had to say:
Varun Badola This New Year, I will chill out at home with my wife, watching movies on my home theatre. Friends may drop in. I have hardly spent any time with Rajeshwari in the past year, so any time I get to be with her is great. I've been travelling, and it's been tough. We get about three days together, so that's the best possible thing to happen. I don't believe in making resolutions. I've had some horrible New Year experiences though, like my first new year in Mumbai. I had packed up at 10 and was supposed to meet a friend of mine at Churchgate. By the time I finally met him, it was already past 12. So, there were the two of us with nothing to do and nowhere to go. Another horrible New Year happened years ago in Delhi. I was the only legal driver around and had to chauffer everybody. I had to drive my sister to a party, and it was the most boring one ever. I left at around 11.30 to reach another party on our terrace. The show we put up at our terrace party is usually good but, unfortunately that year, it was not happening enough. I've spent New Year all alone watching TV in the first two, three years I've been in Mumbai. I was an assistant director then and couldn't afford to go to a party. The entry and cover charge works out to about Rs 2000 a couple. The first thing you then have to do is try hard and find a date. Eventually, I gave up the idea.Another New Year that comes to mind is the one I spent on my bike. To date, my bike is a prized possession. I stocked up my bike and went driving on the highway one New Year's eve. I must have covered around 150 kms that night. Each New Year has been different and memorable in its own way, as it should be.
Amit Sadh
I am bringing in the New Year with Neeru. We are in Goa, soaking in the sun, the sand, the beach, the cocktails. It's beautiful out here. I make resolutions and stick to them. My resolution last year was to keep Neeru happy all through the year. That resolution was well kept.This year, my resolution is to love my woman even more. All my resolutions revolve around Neeru. My life revolves round her. Neeru's dream is to rule the silver screen and, with me behind her, she will. Love is to help your loved one achieve his or her dreams. We have postponed our wedding for the sake of Neeru's film career. Why can't a man support his woman? I know most men don't think this way, but I want to change the system.
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Manasi Joshi Roy
We have shifted to our new house and will bring in the New Year at home. Rohit, our baby and I, and a few close friends will sit down and chill out. There will be good food, wine and music. We'll have a blast. I do make resolutions and stick by them for as long as I can. This year, my resolution is to turn vegetarian. I just have to stop eating non-vegetarian food. I am raising my daughter to be vegetarian, so I need to lead by example. My second resolution is to hit the gym. It is difficult to squeeze in time, what with running a house and taking care of your child, but you can make it if you want to. No excuses on that front. As one grows older, a sense of responsibility sets in. We decide the excesses of the past year should be atoned for and set about making resolutions. That's our way of rationalising things out. We have all been through crazy New Year parties, getting caught in endless traffic and the like in our teens. So, now, there is no way we are going to leave the comfort of our home.The best New Year's I've ever had was when my daughter was born. That was the first year we celebrated with her. Rohit and I were sitting at her bedside and looking at her at the stroke of 12.We decided we were going to do nothing but gaze at her. Children look angelic while they are asleep.
Pooja Bedi
I'm going to Dubai with my children for the New Year. Lots of friends are coming from all over. Farha, her husband Aqueel, their children, Hrithik and Suzanne, and some friends from Delhi are going to join us there. The party is going to be at the World Trade Centre and Aqueel is going to be our DJ for the night. We are going to have a blast. I'm going to be with the kids all day and with the adults all night. I make a lot of New Year resolutions. The more the merrier -- that much more to aspire for. Last year, I made a resolution to learn Urdu and Hindi, which I did. I made a resolution to host a successful talk show on television, which I did. Then, there were those resolutions I couldn't stick to. I made a resolution to travel to two new countries, which I didn't do. That should get done this year. I made a resolution to learn the guitar, which I have not done either. I have bought a guitar but haven't come around to learning how to play it yet. I have managed a 50-50 act with my resolutions. This year too, I have a list of resolutions. Learning the guitar tops the list. I want to finish my Masters in Tai-Chi, I have completed the first two levels. I also want to master artistic yoga. I want to get my book out this year, see two new countries. I try hard to see my resolutions through. I've always had wonderful New Years. Each has been different and wonderful in its own way.I was caught in a traffic jam on one New Year's Eve, but that was amazing too. I was with my husband then and, as the countdown began, we kissed and kissed and kissed. We were kissing and hugging each other in the car. We had champagne in the car and we got that out. It was amazing. There was nobody pulling at us for a hug or kiss or vying for our attention. I was the centre of his attention and vice-versa. We lapped it up.
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Shweta Tiwari
For New Year's, I'm going to Simla, Kulu Manali and Vaishnodevi. I love going to Vaishnodevi and do it every year. It's fun, a picnic and pilgrimage packed together. I love climbing the mountain with family and lots of people around. The high you get after climbing to the top and being in front of Devi cannot be expressed in words. The whole atmosphere is of fun. As always, I will be with my husband, child and in-laws. I take six days off from Balaji and spend time with my family. Just being with them is too much happiness. I never make plans or resolutions. What is there to improve? I'm perfect. I've always been like that, never made a resolution. If changes have to be made, I adapt accordingly. All my New Years have been nice. I always have a great time.A few years ago, a friend of mine organised a function for special children and I was invited as a guest. We left the venue at 9, got stuck in traffic at Juhu the entire night and reached VT only at 3:30 am. I rolled down the windows of my car screaming 'Happy New Year' to people all around, distributing balloons to everybody. I had a blast.
Shilpa Saklani
Apurva (Agnihotri) and I are chilling out at Goa with friends. I've taken holidays for five days. There will be no shooting. It is a very welcome break.I have never made a resolution in years. You don't need to wait for the first of January to make a resolution. If something is wrong and you need to rectify it, do it then and there. Why wait 6 months, 8 months or for New Year's eve to do the needful? I've always had mind-blowing New Years. I am always surrounded by family and friends, and there is never a better way of celebrating. I surround myself with love, loads of it.
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