📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Bollywood Hungama
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Mumbai Mayor Rebukes Bollywood’s Dia Mirza Over Deepawali Advice
✍️ Organiser
🗓 04 Nov 2026, 05:34 AM
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Mumbai’s mayor criticized Bollywood actress Dia Mirza for suggesting how Hindus should celebrate Deepawali, stating that Indians already know how to observe the festival.
The mayor of Mumbai took to the podium to denounce a recent Bollywood campaign that featured actress Dia Mirza offering guidance on how Hindus should celebrate Deepawali. He said that Indians already possess the knowledge and traditions necessary for the festival and that external figures need not dictate their customs.
The statement came amid growing criticism of Bollywood’s involvement in religious and cultural matters. The mayor’s remarks were aimed at reinforcing local traditions and asserting that the city’s residents are well‑versed in their own practices.
While the actress had previously promoted a series of Deepawali-themed advertisements, the mayor’s response highlights a broader debate over celebrity influence on cultural rituals in India.
The city’s administration has not issued a formal statement following the mayor’s comments, but the incident has sparked discussion among residents about the role of media personalities in shaping religious celebrations.
The statement came amid growing criticism of Bollywood’s involvement in religious and cultural matters. The mayor’s remarks were aimed at reinforcing local traditions and asserting that the city’s residents are well‑versed in their own practices.
While the actress had previously promoted a series of Deepawali-themed advertisements, the mayor’s response highlights a broader debate over celebrity influence on cultural rituals in India.
The city’s administration has not issued a formal statement following the mayor’s comments, but the incident has sparked discussion among residents about the role of media personalities in shaping religious celebrations.