Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan is once again in the spotlight over her religious beliefs after an old statement about visiting temples, gurudwaras and dargahs resurfaced online. The actress had made the remarks in 2023 when she was questioned about facing criticism for visiting the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain.
Her statement has gained renewed attention following controversy surrounding her recent visit to Kedarnath Temple. An Islamic cleric, Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, reportedly issued a fatwa criticising her participation in temple worship and urged her to repent. Against this backdrop, Sara's earlier comments about respecting different places of worship have started circulating again.
Sara Ali Khan's Old Statement on Mahakal and Ajmer Sharif
During the promotional campaign for her 2023 film Zara Hatke Zara Bachke, Sara was asked about the criticism she faced after visiting Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain.
Responding to the questions, the actress made it clear that her personal beliefs were separate from her professional life. She said she took her work seriously and wanted audiences to judge her through her performances.
Sara also explained that she would visit Ajmer Sharif with the same devotion with which she visited Bangla Sahib and Mahakal.
Her statement included the words: "I will go to Ajmer Sharif with the same devotion with which I will go to Bangla Sahib or Mahakal. I will continue visiting."
The actress further said that people were free to express their opinions, but their criticism would not stop her from visiting places where she felt a spiritual connection.
'It Is My Personal Choice': Sara Responds to Trolling
Sara had also addressed online trolling during the promotions of Zara Hatke Zara Bachke, in which she starred opposite Vicky Kaushal.
The actress said that people could like or dislike her decisions, but that would not determine where she chose to go.
She explained that visiting religious places was a matter of personal belief and that she did not intend to stop because of social media criticism.
Her response reflected her position that her religious visits should not become a reason to overlook her professional work.
At the time, Sara had been visiting several temples during the film's promotional tour. Her visits to Mahakaleshwar Temple and other religious sites attracted attention, with some social media users questioning her decisions.
Why Is Sara Ali Khan Facing Fresh Controversy?
The renewed discussion follows Sara's visit to Kedarnath Temple on October 25, 2026. Videos from the visit showed the actress waiting in the queue for darshan and offering prayers at the shrine.
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Following the visit, Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi reportedly issued a fatwa, describing her participation in Hindu religious rituals as impermissible under his interpretation of Islamic law. He also called on the actress to repent.
The development triggered fresh discussion about the actress's religious choices and her freedom to visit places of worship.
However, the cleric's statement represents his religious interpretation and should not be treated as a universally accepted position among Muslims.
Support Also Emerges for Sara Ali Khan
The controversy has also attracted responses from other religious figures. Jagadguru Paramhans Acharya publicly supported Sara, referring to the freedom of individuals to follow their beliefs and choose their form of worship.
Maulana Sajid Rashidi, president of the All India Imam Association, also criticised the issuance of a fatwa over the actress's visit. He argued that individuals should have the freedom to visit places of worship without facing such restrictions.
These differing responses have added another dimension to the discussion, bringing questions of personal faith, religious interpretation and individual freedom into focus.
Sara Ali Khan's Connection With Kedarnath
Sara has frequently spoken about her connection with Kedarnath. The actress visited the region during the making of her 2018 debut film, Kedarnath, which also starred the late Sushant Singh Rajput.
Since then, she has returned to the shrine on several occasions and has shared photographs and videos from her visits on social media.
Her recent visit has once again brought attention to a subject she had addressed publicly three years ago: her decision to visit places of worship according to her personal beliefs.
As the debate continues, Sara's 2023 statement has resurfaced as a reminder of her earlier response to criticism. The actress had made her position clear at the time, saying that she would continue visiting Mahakal, Ajmer Sharif and Bangla Sahib regardless of online reactions.
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