29 August,2026 05:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Rakhi Sawant. Pic via X
Rakhi Sawant found herself at the centre of a chaotic scene in Mecca while distributing Janamaz (prayer mats) among pilgrims. The actor, who is currently in Saudi Arabia for her spiritual journey, was surrounded by a large crowd that rushed towards her to collect the mats, leaving her visibly shaken.
Rakhi, who was seen using the name Rakhi Fatima during her visit, had travelled to Mecca and also offered prayers for people affected by the devastating floods in Nepal. However, what was meant to be a charitable gesture soon turned into an overwhelming situation for the actor.
Videos from the incident show Rakhi attempting to distribute the prayer mats as several pilgrims gather around her. As the crowd grows, she appears increasingly uncomfortable and tries to steady the situation.
The rush did not end once the initial distribution was over. The crowd followed Rakhi towards a nearby shop, where people attempted to get hold of the remaining prayer mats. In the midst of the commotion, some individuals were also seen pulling at her hijab, leaving the actor visibly frightened.
The videos have since drawn attention online, particularly because of the stark contrast between Rakhi's intention and how quickly the situation spiralled. What began as an attempt to share something with fellow pilgrims turned into a difficult encounter for the actor.
Rakhi also recently joined the judging panel for Battle Royale II, Kitty Su's national drag lip-sync competition.
This is not the first time Rakhi's visit to the holy city has made headlines. Her recent appearances from Mecca have attracted considerable attention as the actor continues to share glimpses of her spiritual side with followers.
Despite the chaotic episode, Rakhi's focus during the visit has remained centred on prayer and expressing concern for those facing difficult circumstances. Her emotional posts have offered a different glimpse of the actor, whose public persona is usually associated with her outspoken statements and unpredictable appearances.
On the work front, Rakhi is expected to return to the entertainment circuit with an appearance as a panellist on an upcoming episode of India's Got Latent Season 2. She had previously appeared as a guest panelist during the show's first season, where her spontaneous reactions and unfiltered humour became a major talking point.
For now, though, her Mecca visit remains the focus, with the prayer-mat incident underscoring how quickly a seemingly simple gesture can become chaotic when large crowds gather.
