Our Bureau
Kathmandu
Kathmandu witnessed a surge of excitement as Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt, accompanied by close friend and noted filmmaker-actor Rahul Mittra, arrived in Nepal for a culturally significant visit that blended spirituality, heritage, public interaction and personal camaraderie.
The highlight of the trip was their pilgrimage to the revered Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most sacred Hindu shrines in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As word of their visit spread, thousands of fans and devotees gathered along the route and within the temple compound to catch a glimpse of Dutt, turning the occasion into a spontaneous public spectacle. The two were hosted for tea at the official residence of Nepal’s police chief, Inspector General Dan Bahadur Karki, before being escorted to the temple amid heavy security arrangements.
Rahul & Nirvana Chaudhary
At Pashupatinath, Sanjay Dutt and Rahul Mittra performed a special puja, offering prayers at a site that holds immense religious significance, particularly for devotees of Lord Shiva. Located on the banks of the Bagmati River, the temple is not only a spiritual centre but also a symbol of Nepal’s ancient cultural continuity. The visit, marked by devotion and restraint despite the crowds, organically highlighted Nepal’s heritage tourism appeal.
The duo had arrived a day earlier in Kathmandu aboard a chartered Bombardier jet and inaugurated a casino at Hotel Barahi in Thamel, one of the city’s most vibrant tourist districts. The evening saw them warmly interacting with fans from both India and Nepal, further reinforcing their cross-border popularity. Later, Nepal’s prominent industrialists and billionaire brothers Nirvana and Rahul Chaudhary hosted Dutt and Mittra for an exclusive evening featuring Himalayan delicacies and informal conversation.
Sanjay Dutt, one of Hindi cinema’s most enduring stars, continues to enjoy a prolific phase in his career. Known for iconic performances across genres, he was last seen in the Bollywood blockbuster Dhurandhar. Rahul Mittra, meanwhile, has carved a distinctive space as a filmmaker, producer and actor, known for socially grounded storytelling. He was recently seen in the critically acclaimed courtroom drama Haq, which is currently trending at number one on Netflix.
Their Nepal visit underscored how high-profile cultural figures can play a subtle yet powerful role in promoting spiritual heritage and people-to-people connections across borders, leaving behind both memories for fans and renewed attention for Nepal’s cultural landmarks.
