Malaika Arora, Mohanlal and more: how Indian stars celebrated Onam 2020

On Monday, August 31, Malayalees around the world celebrated the harvest festival of Onam.

The annual event is one of Kerala’s biggest occasions. This year, of course, celebrations were muted due to the coronavirus, but that didn’t stop top Indian stars from sending well-wishes to all their fans, having a traditional Onam sadya (feast) or donning traditional attire.

Here’s a look at some stars that rang in the Keralite festival in a grand fashion.

Malaika Arora indulged in a traditional feast

The Onam sadya has always been a big part of the festival. The traditional meal usually includes anywhere from nine to 30 different vegetarian dishes, from daal and sambar to avial (a vegetable dish made with coconut), pickle and banana chips.

Served on a banana leaf, this is a truly indulgent affair, and one of the highlights of the festival.

And it looks like Bollywood actress Malaika Arora made the most of it, alongside her family.

“Our table is set,” the actress posted on social media. “Finally after over five months, we are all together at my parents’ home on this very auspicious day of Onam.”

She went on to thank her mother for the very lavish spread.

In turn, her mother Joyce Arora, who is Malayali and an avid cook, also posted about the meal, saying that she was at home after two years.

"In the interim, my grandchildren have grown older and are now really getting to understand the meaning of the festival. Eating on a banana leaf was a novel experience for them," she said in a post on Instagram.

Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan spent time with family

The South Indian actress and her director partner shared pictures of their celebrations in Kochi, Kerala, in traditional attire.

"Onam wishes to all the lovely people around. Let's find reasons to be happy and enhance them with hope amidst this pandemic... that's the only way to invite a smile on everyone's face," Shivan wrote in the post.

The director also shared pictures with Nayanthara’s mother, calling her family. The South Indian power couple have been rumoured to have been together for four years now. In 2019, Nayanthara addressed Shivan as her "fiance" at an event, which led to rumours of their engagement.

Stars wearing their traditional best

Several South Indian stars posted pictures on social media of themselves wearing their traditional attire.

Popular Indian actor Mohanlal shared an image of him making a floral design while dressed in a traditional outfit – shirt and mundu –  and wished his fans a happy Onam.

Actress Priyamani Raj opted for a stunning white and gold salwar suit paired with gold jewellery.

Beyond the Clouds actress Malavika Mohanan skipped the traditional kasuvu white and gold saree (which she called her first love) in favour of a shade of red for the occasion.

Those that sent good wishes

Meanwhile, many big Bollywood celebrities, including Amitabh Bachchan, Shilpa Shetty Kundra and Shah Rukh Khan shared posts wishing everyone a happy Onam.