Salman Khan stops for young fans amid Ganpati darshan crowd in Mumbai
Synopsis
Mobbed by fans outside Maharashtra minister Ashish Shelar's Mumbai home after Ganpati darshan, Salman Khan still found a moment to stop and shake hands with two young boys who had been waiting to meet him — a small gesture that stood out amid the security-heavy chaos of the festival night.
Key Takeaways
Salman Khan attended Ganpati darshan at Maharashtra minister Ashish Shelar 's residence in Mumbai on Thursday, 18 September 2026 .
Amid heavy crowds, he instructed his security team to bring two young children closer and stopped to shake hands with them.
The actor wore an all-black outfit with a beanie and scarf , with a tilak visible on his forehead after prayers.
Earlier in the week, he joined family for Ganpati visarjan at brother Sohail Khan 's home, where sister Arpita Khan Sharma corrected his aarti direction.
Family members present at the visarjan included Alvira Khan Agnihotri , Sohail Khan , Arpita Khan Sharma , and Arhaan Khan .
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan drew a massive crowd of fans and photographers when he stepped out after attending Ganpati darshan at Maharashtra minister Ashish Shelar's residence in Mumbai on Thursday night, 18 September 2026. Amid the overwhelming frenzy, the actor paused to acknowledge two young children who had been waiting eagerly to meet him — a moment that was captured on camera and quickly circulated online.
The Moment with the Children
As Salman Khan made his way through the dense crowd — flanked by his security team — he was seen folding his hands and requesting the crowd to give him space. Despite the chaos, he spotted two young boys waiting to see him and instructed his security personnel to bring them closer. The actor then stopped to shake hands with both children, drawing wide smiles from them. The interaction was visibly warm, with the children clearly thrilled to have met the superstar in person.
Salman's Festive Look
For the Ganpati darshan, Salman opted for a casual yet festive ensemble, stepping out in an all-black outfit paired with a beanie and scarf. A tilak was visible on his forehead following the prayers, reflecting the devout nature of the occasion.
Family Ganpati Celebrations Earlier in the Week
Earlier this week, Salman Khan had joined his family for the Ganpati visarjan at his brother Sohail Khan's residence. During the ceremony, he was seen performing the aarti, though he initially did so in the wrong direction. His sister Arpita Khan Sharma noticed the error and promptly corrected him, with Salman following her instructions graciously. The visarjan brought together several Khan family members, including Alvira Khan Agnihotri, Sohail Khan, Arpita Khan Sharma, and younger family members. Arhaan Khan was also seen actively helping with the immersion ceremony.
Ganesh Festival and Bollywood
The Ganesh Chaturthi festivities remain among the most prominent annual occasions on Mumbai's social calendar, with film personalities regularly attending darbans and visarjan events across the city. Salman's public appearances during the festival period consistently draw large crowds, underscoring his enduring popularity. This comes amid an already high-security period for the actor, who has had persistent security concerns over recent years, making the ease with which he paused for the two young fans all the more noted by onlookers.
Point of View
These festival outings represent a careful balancing act between visibility and safety. The Ganesh Chaturthi circuit has become a reliable gauge of Bollywood's public engagement — and Salman's willingness to pause, even briefly, signals something about how celebrities choose to manage crowd moments when cameras are rolling. Whether spontaneous or not, such interactions tend to generate more authentic goodwill than choreographed publicity events.
NationPress
18 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Salman Khan attend Ganpati darshan on 18 September 2026?
Salman Khan attended Ganpati darshan at the residence of Maharashtra minister Ashish Shelar in Mumbai on the night of 18 September 2026. He was surrounded by a large crowd of fans and photographers as he left.
What happened when Salman Khan spotted the young children in the crowd?
Salman Khan asked his security personnel to bring two young boys who were waiting to meet him through the crowd. He then stopped to shake hands with them, and the children were visibly excited by the interaction.
What was Salman Khan wearing at the Ganpati darshan?
Salman Khan opted for a casual festive look, wearing an all-black outfit with a beanie and a scarf. A tilak was visible on his forehead after offering prayers.
Which family members joined Salman Khan for the Ganpati visarjan earlier in the week?
Salman Khan attended the Ganpati visarjan at brother Sohail Khan's residence along with Arpita Khan Sharma, Alvira Khan Agnihotri, Sohail Khan, Arhaan Khan, and other younger family members. Arpita corrected Salman when he initially performed the aarti in the wrong direction.
Why do Bollywood celebrities attend Ganesh Chaturthi events?
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of Mumbai's most prominent festivals, and attending darbans or visarjan ceremonies is a longstanding tradition among the city's film community. For stars like Salman Khan, these appearances also serve as key public engagements during the festive season.
