Before the Spotlight, a Prayer

Sidharth Malhotra visited Mumbai’s iconic Lalbaugcha Raja pandal alongside producer Ektaa Kapoor during the ongoing Ganesh Chaturthi festivities. The actor went barefoot to seek Lord Ganesha’s blessings ahead of the trailer launch of his upcoming film The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest.

Akshay Kumar, too, turned to faith ahead of a major release. The actor undertook a pilgrimage to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Jammu, seeking blessings at the cave temple ahead of the release phase of his multi-starrer comedy Welcome to the Jungle.

Janhvi Kapoor is a familiar face at both Tirumala and Lalbaugcha Raja. She offered prayers there on the eve of Devara: Part 1 and was also seen at Lalbaugcha Raja with Sidharth Malhotra during the promotions of Param Sundari. “It is a regular practice for me to visit my favourite temple before any film release and other special occasions, like birthdays and anniversaries. Why me? I think most Indians are religious and they like to visit their favourite religious shrines whenever the gods beckon,” she says.

Kriti Sanon was spotted at the hilltop shrine of Lord Venkateswara in Tirupati, dressed simply in traditional attire. Her temple visit came ahead of a major promotional phase, as she sought blessings and positive energy before her film commitments.

Actor and humanitarian Sonu Sood visited the Tirumala temple with his family, returning to the holy site after nearly 25 years. He offered prayers before beginning the primary schedule and theatrical campaign for his directorial action drama Fateh.

For Ektaa Kapoor, spirituality is more about a deeply personal relationship with the divine.“I am a deeply religious person. My relationship with God is very personal. Nothing gives me more sukoon, peace, than being at the shrines.”

For Kartik Aaryan, the visit to Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain came after a major career milestone. Following his first Best Actor honour at the 72nd National Film Awards for Chandu Champion, the actor visited the revered shrine to seek divine blessings.