Jacqueline Fernandez maintains composure as Avneet Kaur struggles amid heavy crowds at Lalbaugcha Raja

Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at Mumbai’s iconic Lalbaugcha Raja pandal drew huge crowds on the opening day, where devotees thronged for darshan of Lord Ganesha. Among the visitors were actors Jacqueline Fernandez and Avneet Kaur, who arrived with producer Raghav Sharma to offer prayers. Their visit, however, turned difficult as they struggled to exit through the heavy rush of devotees.

A video from the pandal has since gone viral, showing the two actors attempting to leave amid a packed crowd. Security personnel and volunteers can be seen trying to escort them out, but the narrow lanes outside the pandal added to the challenge.

While Jacqueline managed to stay calm, even flashing a faint smile despite the jostling, Avneet appeared visibly uneasy as she and Raghav tried to make their way through. Both were tightly surrounded by security staff, who were seen holding back the crowd in an attempt to create space.

The footage has sparked a wave of reactions online. Several social media users sympathised with the actors, noting that the crowding at Lalbaugcha Raja is often overwhelming even for ordinary devotees. Others commented on the need for stricter crowd management, especially when high-profile visitors draw additional attention.

Despite the struggle, the group eventually managed to leave safely, guided by volunteers who worked to clear their path.

Earlier in the day, Jacqueline was seen participating in a Ganesh puja before making her way to Jackky Bhagnani and Rakul Preet Singh’s residence to continue the festivities. She has been a regular at Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Mumbai over the years.

On the professional side, Jacqueline was last seen in Housefull 5, a multi-starrer that drew mixed reviews. She will next appear in Welcome To The Jungle, featuring Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Sanjay Dutt, Raveena Tandon and Disha Patani among others.

Avneet Kaur, who has been balancing television and digital projects, continues to build her presence as a young performer. Though relatively new to large-scale public outings compared to Jacqueline, her increasing visibility ensures moments like these are watched and shared widely.

The incident at Lalbaugcha Raja serves as another reminder of the challenges celebrities face in public spaces during major festivals, where faith and devotion converge with massive crowds.