Ashish Shelar’s 2025 Ganeshotsav: From Salman Khan to Sachin Tendulkar, A Star-Studded Celebration in Bandra
- Kenneth Hopkins
- Sep 6
- 3 min read
Ganpati Bappa Morya! 🙏 Every year, Mumbai’s Ganeshotsav season turns into a grand celebration of faith, unity, and stardom. Among the many mandals across the city, one that always steals the spotlight is the Bandra West Public Ganeshotsav Mandal, led by Ashish Shelar — Cabinet Minister of Information Technology & Cultural Affairs.
The 2025 edition, held between August 27 and September 6, became a magnet for Bollywood stars, sporting legends, and cultural icons. This year’s mandal theme was extraordinary — a 52-foot replica of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple as a tribute to Ahilyabai Holkar on her 300th birth anniversary. The mix of spirituality, history, and glamour ensured the Shelar Ganpati once again remained the talk of the town.
Bollywood Stars Seek Bappa’s Blessings
Salman Khan made headlines as he arrived barefoot on September 1, hands folded, surrounded by Z+ security, offering his humble prayers.
Saira Banu, draped in a stunning red and white suit, visited on September 6, offering flowers with devotion.
Karisma Kapoor charmed in a maroon suit, while Fardeen Khan came in a casual blue shirt and black jeans.
Aamir Khan chose simplicity with a plain kurta on September 3, mingling warmly with devotees.
Ananya Panday, Malaika Arora, Urmila Matondkar, and Isha Koppikar brought their glam quotient in traditional attires.
Ranbir Kapoor made a special emotional visit on September 4 — his father Rishi Kapoor’s birthday and publicly thanked Ashish Shelar for his long-standing friendship with the Kapoor family.
Sports Icons Add Their Glow
Cricket God Sachin Tendulkar attended in a maroon printed shirt and black trousers, receiving an overwhelming welcome.
Filmmakers & Producers Pay Homage
Rohit Shetty, the blockbuster director, turned up for darshan.
Vidhu Vinod Chopra (of 3 Idiots and Munna Bhai MBBS fame) was personally welcomed by Shelar himself.
Ritesh Sidhwani, co-founder of Excel Entertainment (Dil Chahta Hai, Gully Boy), was also among the early visitors.
Music & Entertainment
Harmeet Singh of Meet Brothers, along with his wife, brought musical vibes to the celebration.
Actress Sonya Ayodhya also joined in the devotion.
Other Notables
Shera, Salman Khan’s trusted bodyguard, came to seek blessings.
Producer Bunty Walia and Dr. Cheryl Misquitta, President of Bandra Gymkhana, were also spotted.
Faith Meets Film in Bandra
What makes Ashish Shelar’s Ganeshotsav unique is the perfect balance of devotion and glamour. On one hand, you have breathtaking pandal art rooted in India’s cultural pride; on the other, you have Bollywood’s brightest names bowing their heads in reverence.
Over the years, the Shelar Ganpati has become not just a local celebration but a cultural phenomenon, where Mumbai’s film fraternity, sports icons, and social leaders come together under Bappa’s blessings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who were the top Bollywood celebrities at Ashish Shelar’s Ganeshotsav 2025?
Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor, Saira Banu, Ananya Panday, Malaika Arora, Urmila Matondkar, Isha Koppikar, and Fardeen Khan were among the biggest names.
2. Why was the 2025 Shelar Ganpati special?
This year’s theme featured a 52-foot replica of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, created as a tribute to Ahilyabai Holkar’s 300th birth anniversary, making it one of the grandest in Mumbai.
3. Did sports personalities also attend?
Yes! Sachin Tendulkar was the most prominent sports figure to attend the 2025 celebrations.
4. How is Ashish Shelar connected to this mandal?
Ashish Shelar, Cabinet Minister of Information Technology & Cultural Affairs, is the driving force behind the Bandra West Public Ganeshotsav Mandal, which has become a hotspot for celebrities and locals alike.
5. When were the 2025 celebrations held?
The celebrations ran from August 27 to September 6, 2025, attracting devotees and celebrities throughout the 11-day festival.
Comments