Bollywood actress Nushrratt Bharuccha is facing criticism after her visit to the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain. The actress visited the temple to seek blessings ahead of the New Year and participated in the Bhasma Aarti, a pre-dawn ritual. During her visit, she offered prayers in the Nandi Hall, observed the temple rituals, offered water to the deity, accepted prasad, and applied a tilak on her forehead. She described the experience as peaceful and expressed her wish to visit the shrine every year.
However, her visit has stirred controversy after a Muslim cleric objected to her participation in Hindu rituals. Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, the national president of the All India Muslim Jamaat (AIMJ), stated that Bharuccha's actions were against Islamic principles and Sharia law. He described her actions as a "grave sin" and "un-Islamic," and said she should repent by reciting the Kalima. He further stressed that Islam does not permit adopting the worship practices of other religions and urged Muslims to adhere strictly to their faith.
Bharuccha, who belongs to the Dawoodi Bohra community, has not yet responded to the cleric's comments. However, she has previously spoken about her spiritual beliefs and experiences, saying that she has visited temples, gurudwaras and churches since childhood. She has also mentioned that she prays namaz and believes in one God with different paths to connect with Him. In the past, she has faced online criticism for her attire and for visiting temples, with some questioning her faith. She has stated that such comments do not change her and will not stop her from practicing her faith.
The cleric's statement has drawn criticism from Hindu religious leaders in Ujjain. Mahant Vishal Das said that faith was a personal matter and questioned why anyone should object to an individual's choice of worship. He called the actress's visit an example of India's composite culture and urged religious leaders to refrain from issuing moral judgments on personal beliefs. Mahant Satyanand of the Shri Panchayati Akhada Bada Udasin echoed similar views, stating that India's strength lies in its pluralism and mutual respect among faiths. He cautioned against politicizing or communalizing visits by public figures to religious sites. Temple officials have confirmed that this was Bharuccha's second visit to the Mahakal Temple and that she followed all prescribed customs. They declined to comment on the controversy, stating that the temple welcomes devotees from all backgrounds.
The controversy has sparked a wider debate on personal faith, religious boundaries, and cultural coexistence. It has also put the spotlight on the scrutiny faced by celebrities regarding their religious beliefs and practices.
