Fatwa issued against 'Pyaar Ka Punchnama' actor Nushratt Bharuccha for visiting Ujjain Mahakal temple

Bollywood actor Nushratt Bharuccha is facing severe criticism from a Uttar Pradesh-based cleric following her visit to the Mahakaal temple in Ujjain. The Bareilly-based cleric Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi, termed Nushratt's worship ‘haram’ and a ‘major sin’ under Islamic law and also issued a fatwa objecting to her participation in her Hindu rituals. The cleric also invoked Sharia law and demanded that Nushratt Bharuccha repent and recite the Kalma to seek forgiveness from Allah, reports ANI.

The visit by actress Nushratt Bharuccha to the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain triggered a major controversy after the national president of the All India Muslim Jamat, Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi objected to her visit. On Tuesday, the actress spoke about visiting the world-famous Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga for the second time. Photos and videos viral on social media showed her participating in the Bhasma Aarti and receiving blessings. She was seen offering prayer and receiving a temple chadar at the deity's sanctum, moments she described as "beautiful" and "deeply meaningful".




"This is my second visit to the temple; I really liked the way special arrangements are made and attention given to smallest details for all the pilgrims. There are so many people who have come to seek blessings of Mahakal just before New Year; and now I also plan to come here every year," she said in the video shared online. Bharuccha also wrote "Jai Mahakal", in an Instagram story.

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Fatwa issued against Nushratt Bharuccha

Hours after her visit, cleric Razvi issued a fatwa stating that the actress's participation in Hindu rituals contravened Sharia and described it as a grave sin (Gunah-e-Azeem) for a practising Muslim. Razvi told TOI visiting places of worship across religions was not inherently objectionable, but added, "as a Muslim, we can't indulge in idol worship or participate in the rituals of other religions." He referred to visuals of Bharuccha wearing a tika, taking part in Bhasma Aarti and offering jal, and said these crossed a doctrinal boundary in his interpretation of Islamic law. "I don't have any legal authority to take action… I can only guide and advise that she must do tauba (repent) and read Kalma to atone for her gunah," he said.

The incident has triggered a fierce debate on social media, with critics condemning the cleric's remarks as ‘faith policing’ and an infringement on personal freedom. The fatwa—issued as a religious opinion rather than through any court or legal process—triggered widespread debate on social media and drew a wave of hate comments directed at Razvi.

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Responding to questions about whether such orthodox views could deepen communal divides, he dismissed the backlash, saying the criticism did not affect him. He added that he has consistently distanced himself from orthodoxy and has been outspoken against the killing of Hindus in Bangladesh, Kashmir, and Pakistan. In this instance, however, he said he was speaking purely in his capacity as a religious leader. “If Nushrratt is a good Muslim, she will listen,” he said, adding that she is free to ignore the fatwa if she chooses.

Who is Nushratt Bharuccha?

Nushratt Bharuccha was born in a Dawoodi Bohra Muslim family to Tanvir Bharucha and Tasneem Bharucha in Mumbai, India. Nushratt Bharuccha was born on 17 May, 1985 in Mumbai. She began her acting career in the year 2002 at the age of 16, according to IMDB.

In 2010, she got the first major breakthrough of her career when she was selected for Dibakar Banerjee's LSD: Love, Sex Aur Dhokha. She is known for her roles in Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, Pyaar Ka Punchnama and Dream Girl.