Tamannaah Bhatia reflects on Diwali traditions and the importance of personal independence.
Indian actress Tamannaah Bhatia, who met fans at City Centre Deira over Diwali weekend, has a clear message for anyone who thinks they can dictate how she should live her life: they cannot.
Having started her career at the age of 15, Bhatia has spent years navigating the ups and downs of the Indian film industry. Now, as she expands her presence beyond cinema and ventures into fine jewellery, the actress is making it clear that she has always been in charge of her own choices, both on and off screen.
“I was 15 when I started working, and I decided to become an actor. I don’t think anyone has been able to dictate what I do, professionally or personally,” Tamannaah told us.
“I feel like I’ve always been someone who takes risks and does exactly what my heart tells me to do. So, yeah, nothing has changed. I’m still the same person.”
It is a strong statement from an actress who has worked across Hindi, Tamil and Telugu cinema and is now adding entrepreneur to her already diverse portfolio.
We caught up with Tamannaah at an event organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) as part of the city’s Diwali celebrations.
While the festival of lights may be over, her visit offered a glimpse into the different worlds she now inhabits: cinema, business and celebrity life.
And despite her growing business ambitions, her relationship with Dubai remains refreshingly simple. She loves shopping, particularly for gold.
Dubai’s gold rush has a Bollywood fan
Asked how she would spend a leisurely afternoon in Dubai, Tamannaah did not offer the usual celebrity itinerary of wellness retreats or exclusive experiences.
“You would definitely find me shopping, guilty as charged,” she said.
“But I would also love a really beautiful meal and a nice, relaxing afternoon. That would be something I would totally be doing in Dubai.”
Like many Indian visitors drawn to the emirate’s gold souks and jewellery stores, Tamannaah has also indulged in a little gold shopping.
“I remember buying this really pretty chain in Dubai, and the gold here is definitely beautiful. It’s something people often want to buy from Dubai, so I’ve done that too,” she said.
There is an interesting twist to that shopping memory. The actress who once bought gold in Dubai is now in the business of selling jewellery herself.
However, her decision to launch Tamanna Fine Jewelry was not simply an attempt to capitalise on her celebrity status. She identified a gap in the market and set out to address it.
“Whenever I wanted something elevated for everyday wear, I struggled to find it. Most of what I came across was quite generic. I wanted something distinctive, with an identifiable design language, that had presence but was also easy to wear,” she said.
“That’s exactly where I built Tamanna Fine Jewelry.”
Her aim was to create jewellery that looked distinctive and refined but could be worn every day, without requiring a wedding, film premiere or special occasion.
Beyond the celebrity brand endorsement
Wearing beautiful jewellery and understanding how to make or sell it are two very different things. Tamannaah is not suggesting that being a successful actress automatically makes her an expert in the jewellery business.
Building the brand has involved a learning curve, particularly in understanding craftsmanship and the practicalities of running a company.
“The business aspect is what I’ve largely learned since coming into it, along with the art of jewellery making,” she said.
She is equally candid about the areas in which she is still learning.
“I’m not a bench jeweller, so I don’t do the entire process myself. But at some point, I would love to get more hands-on because I think it’s important to see how things are actually made. That helps you understand why something works or doesn’t,” she said.
It is a candid admission in a celebrity-driven market where attaching a famous name to a product can sometimes be mistaken for entrepreneurship. Tamannaah, however, wants to understand the work that goes into creating her products, rather than simply lending her face to the brand.
“I’m actually learning the processes very, very intimately, and that’s really helping me understand why something is and why something is not,” she said.
Four films and bigger business plans for 2027
If anyone thought her business ambitions might mean taking a step back from cinema, Tamannaah has other plans.
The year 2027 is already looking busy, with four film releases in the pipeline.
“I have so much to carry forward, lots to do. I have three — actually, no, four releases coming up next year: three Hindi film releases and one Tamil film release,” she said.
“My brand is growing bigger, we’re expanding, so there are lots of new things, a lot of expansion and a lot of fun movies. There’s a lot to look forward to in 2027.”
Four films across two languages, alongside an expanding jewellery business, leave little room for slowing down.
Yet, amid the talk of professional growth and commercial ambitions, Tamannaah says her most valuable asset cannot be measured in money: the affection she receives from her audience.
“I definitely feel that the constant love I get from people is something I can’t put a number to,” she said.
“This connection that I have with my audience means the most to me because it’s not tangible. It’s not something I could ever make sense of because the love is just so much. So I’m very thankful and grateful for it.”
That connection was also at the heart of her Dubai appearance, where she met fans during the city’s Diwali celebrations.
And despite the relentless pace of her professional life, her memories of the festival remain refreshingly simple. No elaborate celebrity parties or extravagant jewellery required.
“I love seeing rangoli, which people usually make the day before Diwali. In Indian households, it’s a ritual,” she said.
“That always makes me feel at home. It makes me feel very, very Diwali.”
For someone whose life is increasingly split between film sets and business decisions, it is a reminder that celebrations do not always have to be elaborate affairs.
Perhaps that is what makes Tamannaah so interesting: she enjoys shopping for gold in Dubai, is building her own jewellery brand and is determined to make her own choices, yet her fondest Diwali memories are rooted in something as simple as a rangoli outside an Indian home.
