While Milla Jovovich, Lindsay Lohan and Hayden Panettiere had their time on covers last year, High School Musical star Zac Efron is the new cover boy. With his latest 17 Again pictures to stills from High School Musical, the teen icon is a major attraction on anaar and skyshot boxes.

Besides all time regulars including Miley Cyrus, Hilary Duff, Kate Winslet and Christina Aguilera, the new Hollywood faces ruling desi cracker cover this year are Emma Watson, Taylor Swift and Beyonce. “The stars keep changing depending on their popularity. This time, Hollywood queens are mostly ruling the covers than the desi divas,” says Vijay Sharma, owner of shop Sharma fireworks, Chandni Chowk.
Although Japanese models, singers, wrestlers and cartoon characters have been old favourites for long, Hollywood movie posters are a new added feature. The popular Hollywood movies that made it to the covers are Harry Potter, Ice Age, The Pirates of the Caribbean, Pride and Prejudice, Tomb Raider and The Lion King.
Among the Bollywood brigade, Anjaana Anjaani, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi are ruling the cracker art. “Presentation is very important today. Kids are drawn to crackers with their favourite movie stars. Harry Potter and Ice Age are selling like hot cakes,” says Yashraj, another shopkeeper.
Desi stars like Sridevi and Dharmendra, who had the best record for being on the cracker covers, are missing this year while Katrina Kaif and Asin continue to make a mark. The regulars including Preity Zinta, Deepika Padukone, Anushka Sharma and Aishwarya Rai continue their popular run as cover girls.

Slump in sales banks on upcoming wedding season
With inflation and 40 percent rise in prices of crackers, the sales of crackers have seen a dip this year. Shopkeepers rue the “thanda business”. “Although we were expecting poor business, it’s much below our expectations. So far, we have not even made it to 30 percent of the total profit as compared to last year,” says Jitu Pandit of Umesh fireworks.
Many blame the government’s ‘no stock’ policy. “We’re not allowed to keep stock of crackers. And as there is no stock, there is no variety for customers. Hence, low business,” says Abhishek from Umesh Uncle fireworks, Chandni Chowk.
Those in the business of fireworks are now banking on the coming wedding season for recovery. “We hope the sales pick up on the last two days. From anaar to sky crackers, the prices have shoot up to `50 to `60. Not even normal crackers like phooljhadi or pencil sticks are selling. We hope that bulk orders during wedding season give us some profit,” says Vijay.

Wacky cracker names add a new sparkle
Wacky and fun cracker names are adding sparkle to crackers. While King of Kong and Tomb Raider were some of the names given to foiled bombs; Fountain, Popcorn, Cocktail are seen on anaars. Chocomania, Fizzy Fizz, Zoo.oom, Thunderstro, Cappuccino, Maska Chaska and Reid and Flyers are innovative monikers for skyshots. The multi-coloured skycrackers’ names are based on music and dance themes titled Break Dance, Sweet Sixteen, Backstreet Boys, Miami Nights, Rock and Roll, Balle Balle.
“We also have names like Lal Quila, Monsters for ladis. This time, a coconut tree shaped silver-coloured skyshot called Fancy Phantom is attracting many due to its fascinating name,” says a shopkeeper.