Ankita Lokhande, Nia Sharma and others get trolled for making reels during Ganpati puja; see post

Ganesh Chaturthi arrived with its usual grandeur, but this year’s celebrations by a few television stars stirred debate rather than delight. Nia Sharma, Ankita Lokhande, Arjun Bijlani’s wife Neha Swami, and others shared a festive reel chanting “Ganpati Bappa Morya,” clapping with evident enthusiasm. Yet what caught the internet’s attention was not the devotion but the direction, they were filmed with their backs to the idol.

For many viewers, the moment felt misplaced. Festivals in India carry deep spiritual weight, and seeing performers focus on content rather than reverence struck a raw nerve. The clip quickly went viral, with reactions pouring in from across the spectrum. Some criticized the prioritization of reels over ritual, suggesting that worship had been reduced to a backdrop for social media content. Others expressed disappointment at what they saw as a dilution of sanctity, where temples, homes, and ceremonies are increasingly treated as stages for visibility rather than spaces for genuine reflection.

The comments ranged from sardonic to severe. One user quipped that devotion has been replaced by the hunger for views, while another lamented that piety has become a performance. Others went further, calling the act disrespectful and warning that festivals lose their meaning when they are packaged for virality.

The controversy touches a nerve that extends beyond a single video. In an age where digital documentation dominates, the balance between celebration and spectacle often tips precariously. For many, this incident served as a reminder that rituals are not props but practices, meant to center the mind and spirit rather than the camera. Whether this episode sparks more mindfulness or simply more headlines remains to be seen, but the unease it provoked is unlikely to fade quickly.
**This news was published on Times of India on 2nd September, 2025.

 

 

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