Actress Saiyami Kher has revealed that travelling together with family has become her most cherished Diwali tradition — though this year the festival finds her firmly on set, making it, by her own admission, a 'working Diwali'.

A Family Ritual Built Around Travel

Speaking about her Diwali customs, Saiyami said: "For me, the biggest tradition has become spending time with my family. We've almost made it a ritual to travel somewhere together every Diwali. Whether it's a holiday or just spending quality time together, that's something we really look forward to."

The sentiment reflects a growing trend among working professionals in the entertainment industry — carving out meaningful family moments despite unpredictable shoot schedules that rarely respect the festival calendar.

This Year: Celebrations Move to the Set

With her current shooting schedule leaving little room for the usual festivities, Saiyami says she has made peace with the situation — and found a silver lining. "Sometimes festivals coincide with work, and you learn to make the most of whatever time you have. This year is a working Diwali for me, but I genuinely enjoy being on set. It's my second family away from home. Hopefully, we'll find a little time to celebrate together," she said.

She added with warmth: "And my parents are always happy when I'm working, so I think they'll consider this an auspicious Diwali!"

International Debut With an Indo-Russian Drama

Saiyami Kher is poised to mark her international debut in an upcoming Indo-Russian drama directed by Maksim Kuznetsov. The film — produced by Kartina Entertainment, White Night Films, and Wish Media — was shot across Russia and India, and also marked her first visit to Russia.

Reflecting on the experience, she said: "This was a completely different and new experience for me, working with an entirely foreign crew. We shot in Russia, and it was my first time there. Moscow was beautiful, and the overall film experience was incredible. The working atmosphere was very different from what I'm used to, and I really enjoyed being part of this collaboration. I hope this is the first of many more international projects to follow."

Details about the drama remain under wraps, but the cross-cultural production is described as exploring "the universal language of cinema through a compelling, drama-driven narrative."

Last Seen On Screen

Saiyami was most recently seen in a neo-noir crime thriller co-written and directed by Priyadarshan — a remake of his own 2016 Malayalam film Oppam. The film features a star-studded cast including Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, Boman Irani, and Shriya Pilgaonkar, with Mohanlal in a cameo role.

With an international project in the pipeline and a Priyadarshan thriller behind her, Saiyami Kher's career appears to be entering a distinctly new chapter — one that may well redefine her profile in Indian cinema.