Ganeshotsav 2026: Sharad Kelkar on what makes Mumbai's Ganpati celebration truly special
Synopsis
Sharad Kelkar calls Mumbai during Ganesh Chaturthi 'something else altogether' — pointing to the city's cross-community celebrations as the festival's most irreplaceable quality. His remarks, anchored in the historical legacy of Lokmanya Tilak's mass Ganeshotsav movement, underscore why the 10-day festival remains Mumbai's most defining cultural event.
Key Takeaways
Sharad Kelkar , star of Zee TV's 'Tumm Se Tumm Tak' , shared his thoughts on Ganeshotsav as Mumbai marks Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 .
Kelkar highlighted the festival's inclusive spirit, noting how 'people from different walks of life come together with the same excitement and devotion.' Ganeshotsav in its large public form traces its origins to Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak's initiative in the late 19th century .
The show 'Tumm Se Tumm Tak' airs on Zee TV and features Kelkar as industrialist Aryavardhan .
Actor Sharad Kelkar, who plays the role of Aryavardhan in the Zee TV show 'Tumm Se Tumm Tak', has spoken about the deep cultural resonance of Ganeshotsav, describing the festival as a transformative experience that sets Mumbai apart every year during Ganesh Chaturthi.
What Kelkar Loves Most About the Festival
Reflecting on what makes the celebrations so compelling, Kelkar said, 'Mumbai during Ganesh Chaturthi is something else altogether. The energy on the streets, the beautifully decorated pandals and the enthusiasm of people coming out to celebrate make the city feel completely different. What I particularly enjoy is seeing people from different walks of life come together with the same excitement and devotion.'
He added, 'There is a wonderful sense of collective celebration around Bappa's arrival, and that is something I think makes Ganesh Chaturthi truly unique.'
Notably, Kelkar's remarks capture a sentiment widely shared across the city — that Ganeshotsav is less a religious observance in isolation and more a civic phenomenon that binds communities across income groups, castes, and neighbourhoods.
The Cultural and Historical Roots of Ganeshotsav in Mumbai
Ganeshotsav holds a defining place in Mumbai's cultural identity, transforming the city each year into a confluence of faith, art, music, and community spirit. The festival's large-scale public form gained historic momentum in the late 19th century, when freedom fighter and reformer Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak championed community celebrations as a vehicle for social and political unity during the colonial era.
Today, the festival transcends social and economic divides — from housing societies in suburban lanes to iconic public mandals that draw thousands of visitors. Elaborate idol installations, artistic decorations, devotional music, cultural performances, and grand processions collectively define the festive character of the city during this period.
About 'Tumm Se Tumm Tak'
The show 'Tumm Se Tumm Tak', which airs on Zee TV, follows Anu Sharma, a 20-year-old middle-class woman from Chandni Chowk, Delhi, and Aryavardhan, a 46-year-old industrialist heading the Vardhan Group of Industries. Anu's father is employed at a local saree outlet linked to Aryavardhan's company brand, Rajnandini Sarees. The role of Aryavardhan, according to reports, is played by Dolly Chawla opposite Kelkar in the narrative.
Looking Ahead
As Mumbai continues to immerse itself in Ganeshotsav festivities this season, voices from the entertainment world like Kelkar's add to the cultural conversation around preserving the collective and inclusive spirit of the celebration.
Point of View
But Kelkar's framing — emphasising cross-class unity over religious ritual — reflects a broader cultural conversation about what urban festivals actually do. Mumbai's Ganeshotsav has long functioned as a social leveller, and its Tilak-era origins as a tool of mass mobilisation remain relevant context. What mainstream coverage often misses is that as commercial spectacle grows — larger idols, branded pandals, sponsored events — the 'collective' quality Kelkar praises faces real pressure from monetisation and exclusion creep.
NationPress
14 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Sharad Kelkar say about Ganeshotsav 2026?
Sharad Kelkar said Mumbai during Ganesh Chaturthi feels 'completely different,' praising the energy on the streets, decorated pandals, and the sight of people from all walks of life celebrating together. He described the collective sense of devotion around Bappa's arrival as what makes the festival truly unique.
Who is Sharad Kelkar and what show is he currently in?
Sharad Kelkar is a well-known Indian actor who plays the character Aryavardhan in the Zee TV show 'Tumm Se Tumm Tak.' The show is set across Delhi and follows a story involving a middle-class woman and a prominent industrialist.
What is the historical significance of Ganeshotsav in Mumbai?
Mumbai's large-scale public Ganeshotsav celebrations gained prominence in the late 19th century, championed by freedom fighter Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak as a way to unite people socially and politically under colonial rule. Today, the festival spans neighbourhoods, housing societies, and iconic public mandals across the city.
What is 'Tumm Se Tumm Tak' about?
'Tumm Se Tumm Tak' on Zee TV follows Anu Sharma, a 20-year-old from Chandni Chowk, Delhi, and Aryavardhan, a 46-year-old industrialist heading the Vardhan Group of Industries. Their connection stems from Anu's father working at a store that sells Rajnandini Sarees, a brand under Aryavardhan's company.
