Hollywood has a blast this Diwali

Move over, Bollywood. Hollywood stars and films are playing a big role on cracker wrappers this year
Yes, you read that right! In a bid to make firecrackers hotter, many cracker manufacturers have used Hollywood stars as the ‘face’ of these phatakas. Not only that, animation film characters as the protagonists on cracker wrappers are a big hit as well.
So, what has brought about the change in the look? Sumita Shirsalkar, a shop owner in the city, explains, “Times are changing. People want variety all the time. Using these wellknown stars gives these crackers a different look. The customers get attracted to their idols and tend to purchase those crackers.”
Sagar Sonawane, another owner of a shop, adds, “These items are purchased from other parts of the country on special request. When kids come to our shop and see film posters like those of Rush Hour or Speed, they push their parents to buy those fancy crackers.”
Says Altaaf Bawoodani, owner of a fireworks store, “It is very much true that kids and youngsters go in for crackers that are visually attractive to them. We have some of the biggest names in Bollywood and Hollywood on cracker packets and I can vouch that they sell more than the usual ones.”
This novel way of packaging is generating a lot of interest among the customers as well. Arjun Biswas, a teenager, is ecstatic after buying a fancy cracker with an Angelina Jolie wrapper. “I love the visuals on these boxes. Angelina Jolie has been my favourite actor ever since I saw Salt. When I saw a box of crackers with her picture on it, I couldn’t stop myself. It is great to see some of the Hollywood stars posing for us this Diwali,” says he.
With famous stars and wellknown animation characters striking a pose on cracker wrappers, Diwali mart has a different look this year. Which star are you bringing home this time?