Cinema VinesDuring her Diwali 2026 celebration, actress Kareena Kapoor Khan drew headlines not for her festive attire but for a 30‑carat emerald pendant she wore as part of her look. The heirloom, said to be a 200‑year‑old piece that once belonged to the royal family of Bhopal, bears the Quranic verse Ayat‑ul‑Kursi carved into its surface. While the pendant was meant to showcase a piece of heritage, the religious inscription sparked a debate on social media and among political groups.
Congress spokesperson Abbas Hafeez reacted by sending a legal notice to the actress, demanding that all photographs of her wearing the pendant be removed from social media and that she issue a public apology. Hafeez explained that the objection was not to Kapoor Khan’s choice of outfit or her celebration of Diwali, but solely to the display of a sacred Islamic verse on a fashion accessory. “People are free to celebrate whichever festival they wish and wear whatever clothes they want. Our objection is only to the Quranic verse. Even if she had worn it on Eid, it would still have been objectionable,” he told FPJ.
The pendant’s provenance was highlighted by stylist Rhea Kapoor in a social media post that detailed its history. According to her, the emerald was part of the Begums of Bhopal’s collection and later passed into the family of Saif Ali Khan, whose grandmother, Sajida Sultan, was the daughter of the last ruling Nawab of Bhopal. Rhea described the ensemble as “real movie star, real chandi, real heirlooms and real personal style,” noting that the piece was a genuine heirloom rather than a contemporary fashion statement.
Advocate Mohammad Zafar, who drafted the notice, warned that if the removal of the photographs is not complied with, further legal action could be pursued. The controversy has also attracted support from the Hindu Utsav Samiti, which publicly backed Kapoor Khan, adding another layer to the debate over religious symbols in popular culture.
As the dispute unfolds, it highlights the delicate balance between celebrating heritage and respecting religious sentiments, especially when historic artifacts are showcased in contemporary settings.
