Mumbai – Bollywood actress Urvashi Rautela landed in hot water after claiming that a temple near Badrinath, Uttarakhand, was associated with her name. In a recent interview, she said, “There is a temple in my name in Uttarakhand. If one visits Badrinath, there is an ‘Urvashi temple’ right next to it.” When asked if people worship her there, she responded, “It’s a temple—of course that’s what people do.”
Her remarks quickly triggered outrage from religious leaders and locals, who accused her of disrespecting religious sentiments. Former Dharmadhikari of Badrinath Dham, Bhuvan Chandra Uniyal, clarified that the Urvashi Temple refers to a celestial nymph mentioned in Hindu scriptures, not the actress. He emphasized the temple’s mythological and spiritual importance.
Facing mounting criticism, Rautela’s team issued a clarification. “People misunderstood her words,” the statement read. “She never claimed that the temple was dedicated to her personally, only that it bears the same name.” They blamed the backlash on people misinterpreting her statement without context.
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The controversy didn’t stop there. Religious organizations in Uttarakhand filed complaints with local authorities, alleging that Rautela’s comments offended the sentiments of Sanatan Dharma followers. They demanded legal action and an official apology.
Rautela’s team further noted that Delhi University students call her Damdami Mai —a reference frequently circulated in memes and pop culture. They said this title has often been misused and taken out of context, warning that they may take legal action against individuals spreading false narratives.
Social Media Response
Despite the clarification, the backlash on social media intensified. Critics accused Rautela of self-glorification and exploiting religious references for publicity. Hashtags like #UrvashiRautela and #TempleControversy began trending, with users demanding accountability.
Meanwhile, legal experts suggested the case hinges on public interpretation. “Unless there’s proof of intent to hurt sentiments, it may not meet the threshold for legal action,” one lawyer noted.
Rautela Issues Clarification
In her own defense, Rautela took to Instagram and reposted a story explaining the temple’s historical background, insisting her comment was harmless. “People don’t even listen to things properly,” she wrote. “Just hearing the words ‘Urvashi’ and ‘temple’ doesn’t mean I claimed people worship me.”
However, the backlash reflects a growing tension between celebrity culture and religious sensitivity in India. Several commentators called for greater responsibility in public statements by public figures, especially when religion is involved.
As of now, the actress has not issued a personal video statement, and her team continues to monitor the situation. Whether this controversy will impact her future projects remains to be seen, but the debate over celebrity influence and religious boundaries shows no sign of fading.
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