Kareena Kapoor Served Legal Notice Over Quranic Verse Pendant
Bollywood actor Kareena Kapoor Khan has been served a legal notice over a 30-carat emerald pendant engraved with the Quranic verse Ayat-ul-Kursi, which she wore during her Diwali 2026 celebrations. The notice demands the removal of her social media photographs and a public apology.
What sparked the controversy
Kareena’s festive appearance featured a silver kaftan, a matching turban and the emerald pendant, and drew wide attention on social media after the photographs went viral. The jewellery is described as a Bhopal royal heirloom associated with the Begums of the erstwhile princely state.
Stylist Rhea Kapoor described the look in her caption: “Real movie star, real chandi, real heirlooms and real personal style. Kareena in a pure chandi kaftan and turban by Punit Balana, wearing a 200-year-old kalgi from the Nawab of Bhopal and the Begum of Bhopal’s 30-carat emerald, carved with the Ayat-ul-Kursi.”
The pieces come through Saif Ali Khan’s family: his grandmother, Sajida Sultan, was the daughter of the last ruling Nawab of Bhopal.
The legal notice
Madhya Pradesh Congress spokesperson Abbas Hafeez initiated the legal action days after the photographs went viral. Advocate Mohammad Zafar, acting for Hafeez, said the notice sought the removal of the social media posts and warned that further legal remedies could be explored if the demand was not met.
Explaining his objection, Hafeez said the pendant was part of the Islamic heritage of the Begums of Bhopal and had been commissioned as an expression of religious faith rather than for fashion purposes.
“There is no objection to what anyone chooses to wear. There is no controversy over that. However, Kareena Kapoor shared a post on her social media handles on Diwali in which she was wearing and flaunting this pendant,” he told ANI. “This is a historic pendant of Bhopal associated with Islamic heritage. It cannot be used for a fashion parade.”
He maintained that his objection was specifically to the Quranic inscription and not to Kareena’s choice of attire or celebration of Diwali. “Let me make it very clear: 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,” Hafeez said.
Zafar added: “The main objection of my client is not to wearing the jewellery but to the Quranic verse inscribed on it, known as Ayat al-Kursi, which is considered very holy and sacred. We believe that the sentiments of the Muslim community have been hurt by the way it has been presented on social media and worn.”
Support for the actor
Meanwhile, the Hindu Utsav Samiti has defended Kareena, rejecting the demand for an apology. Its president, Chandrashekhar Tiwari, said the actress had the right to follow her religious traditions and celebrate Diwali. Drawing a comparison with his own religious pendant featuring Goddess Bhagwati, Tiwari said wearing a religious symbol close to one’s heart should not invite objections.
What’s next for Kareena
Amid the unfolding row, Kareena recently confirmed her next major big-screen outing. On November 2, marking Shah Rukh Khan’s birthday, she shared a silhouette teaser of the two actors dancing together, officially confirming her role in SRK’s upcoming film, King.
Bollywood weddings and star controversies continue to dominate the conversation. Music composer Anirudh Ravichander married Kavya Maran in Greece on November 11 in an intimate ceremony attended by Rajinikanth. Anirudh Ravichander Marries Kavya Maran in Greece (English) — https://ntmnews.online/?p=4760
Pakistani actor Sania Saeed also made headlines this week, speaking about motherhood and why she never had children. Sania Saeed on motherhood: why she never had children (English) — https://ntmnews.online/?p=4586
No police complaint or court filing has been reported so far — the matter currently stands at the legal-notice stage, with both sides stating their positions publicly.
Source: Khaleej Times, 12 November 2026; Gujarat Samachar and Filmibeat, 12 November 2026