NEW DELHI – Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor was served with a legal notice from social activist Abbas Hafeez and several members of the Muslim community over objections to her wearing a historic pendant belonging to the royal family of Bhopal, engraved with the Quranic verse Ayat al-Kursi.
Quoting Indian news media company NDTV, Kareena wore the emerald-green pendant with a beige kaftan designed by fashion designer Punit Balana during recent Deepavali celebrations.
She also paired the outfit with a matching turban adorned with a sparkling kalgi accessory.
The accessory is understood to hold sentimental value as it was previously worn by her husband, Saif Ali Khan, on their wedding day.
The pendant originally belonged to the Begum of Bhopal before being passed down to Kareena following her marriage to Saif.
Sharing details of the mother of two’s outfit, fashion designer Rhea Kapoor, who styled Kareena, posted a caption on Instagram that prompted a group of activists to issue the legal notice.
“Kareena is wearing a pure silver kaftan and turban by Punit Balana, along with a 200-year-old kalgi accessory belonging to the Nawab of Bhopal and a 30-carat emerald pendant belonging to the Begum of Bhopal, engraved with Ayat al-Kursi.
“These heirloom pieces of jewellery from the royal family of Bhopal originate from Saif’s family. His grandmother, Sajida Sultan, was the daughter of the last ruling Nawab of Bhopal,” she said.
Kareena also shared several pictures of her outfit on Instagram.
“Deepavali is about embracing traditions in the right way,” the actress wrote.