Inside Actor Avantika’s Stylish Diwali Party in New York

Raised in the vibrant Bay Area, actress Avantika—known for her role in the upcoming 2024 Mean Girls reboot and her participation in Mindy Kaling’s Not Suitable for Work premiering next year—fondly recalls her family’s annual celebration of Diwali each October. Known as the Festival of Lights, this significant Indian festival symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. “I cherish the big gatherings my parents used to host,” Avantika shares with Vogue. “We prepared plenty of food, illuminated diyas, and enjoyed poker. Many memorable times involve drifting to sleep on the living room floor, comforted by the sounds of laughter, only to awaken to friends snoozing in their saris.”

Now residing in New York City, Avantika yearns for that same warmth and camaraderie she experienced growing up. To reclaim this tradition, she organized a Diwali celebration this past weekend, collaborating with actors Karan Brar and Manish Dayal, alongside publicist Neerja Patel. “Starting my own life in New York has rekindled that joy of uniting friends for festivities,” she expresses. “I wanted it to be accessible to all, especially for those who traditionally may not identify with Diwali.”

The festive gathering took place at the Maxwell Social Club, drawing a diverse crowd of creatives. “Culturally, we tend to arrive late to events—myself included—but I got there 25 minutes early, and there were already a hundred guests,” Avantika recalls. Inside, lively Bollywood songs from the early 2000s resonated, while chef Palak Patel delighted guests with traditional Diwali offerings such as biryani and sweet gulab jamun. “Being from Hyderabad, I take pride in my biryani heritage,” Avantika shares, though she regrets not having the opportunity to sample more dishes due to her hosting duties. “I didn’t realize just how little you eat while trying to greet everyone!”

As expected, no Diwali celebration is complete without guests donning traditional Indian attire. Avantika captivated attendees in a stunning sari designed by Anita Dongre, adorned with a lovely Ajrakh block print. “I admire her work and wished to wear something that pays tribute to India’s vibrant craft tradition. Our traditional prints are incredibly beautiful and deserve celebration,” she emphasizes. Guests showcased a variety of saris, lehengas, and sherwanis. “My best friend wore a sari that was a family heirloom, while others displayed beautiful saris from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh,” Avantika notes. To enhance the décor, a floral station was available for guests to add fresh flowers to their hairstyles. “Walking through India, one is always surrounded by flowers for sale,” she explains. “Neerja set up a lovely station where talented women braided fresh roses and jasmine into our hair—it was such a delightful touch.”

As the festivities wrapped up, Avantika found herself reflecting on the success of her inaugural Diwali hosting experience. “I felt so emotional,” she confesses. “It was overwhelming to feel so much love in the air.” Following the lively celebration, she and her friends retreated to a friend’s apartment to unwind. “We changed out of our saris and indulged in some pizza while reminiscing about the night,” she says. “I would have never bet that I could cultivate such a wonderful community in New York.”