Karan Wahi and Rithvik Dhanjani brought a wave of nostalgia to Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 celebrations by recreating the iconic walkthrough style of Smriti Irani from the beloved television series 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' — all while showcasing handcrafted, eco-friendly Lord Ganesha idols made from clay. The video, shared on social media by Wahi, quickly resonated with fans of both the actors and the cult 2000s daily soap.

The Viral Video

In the video, Karan Wahi takes the camera on a tour of his team's Ganesh Chaturthi setup, panning across members as they decorate handcrafted clay Ganpati idols — a deliberate nod to Smriti Irani's signature style of walking viewers through her on-screen home and introducing family members in 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi'. The iconic title track of the show plays in the background, amplifying the nostalgia.

Sharing the reel, Wahi described the annual tradition in his own words: 'Yearly Ritual To Celebrating this festival the way we Love To… @rithvikk_dhanjani.' The post drew an outpouring of affection from fans, with one commenter writing, 'Was waiting for this reel,' and another saying, 'after watching this reel i feel officially ganpati season has started.'

Rithvik Dhanjani's Eco-Friendly Tradition

Rithvik Dhanjani has built a distinct annual practice around Ganesh Chaturthi: rather than purchasing commercially produced idols, he sculpts his own Lord Ganesha idol from scratch each year. This year, he crafted the idol using 'shadu maati' (earth clay), staying true to both the ecological and spiritual spirit of the festival.

Sharing a glimpse of the idol ahead of the festival, Dhanjani captioned his post: 'Keep everything aside!!!! Bappa is comingggg!!! #day 1 bringing him to life.' The actor has long been known as an avid devotee of Lord Ganesha, and this hands-on approach has earned him considerable admiration among fans and fellow artists.

The Nostalgia Factor

The choice to use the 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' title track was not incidental. The show, which aired from 2000 to 2008 on Star Plus, remains one of the highest-rated Indian television productions of all time and is closely associated with Smriti Irani's portrayal of Tulsi Virani. For a generation of Indian television viewers, the walkaround style Wahi and Dhanjani recreated is instantly recognisable, making the video a potent blend of festive cheer and pop-culture memory.

Eco-Friendly Celebrations Gain Momentum

The duo's emphasis on clay idols fits into a broader, growing movement among public figures to encourage environmentally responsible Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. Clay idols dissolve naturally in water, unlike plaster-of-Paris alternatives, making them significantly less harmful to water bodies. With celebrity advocacy, this eco-conscious approach has reportedly seen increased adoption in urban celebrations across Mumbai and other major cities in recent years.

As the festive season gathers pace, Wahi and Dhanjani's annual ritual looks set to become one of the more anticipated social media traditions around Ganesh Chaturthi.