Authorities ban Bollywood stars from top Kumbh Mela days

Bollywood stars have been asked to refrain from visiting the ongoing Maha Kumbh here for promotion of their upcoming films by the administration, which has advised them to schedule private visits, if any, on days other than the main bathing festivals.

"Since we do not want any stampede-like situation at the congregation, we are going to write to various filmmakers who may be planning to visit the congregation along with their cast and crew members," Divisional Commissioner of Allahabad Devesh Chaturvedi said

"We are going to make it clear that no promotional activity by those in the film industry will be allowed at the Kumbh. They may, however, visit the congregation privately for taking a holy dip at the Sangam or participating in religious discourses.

"They will have to ensure that their tour remains inconspicuous, without any fanfare and they must not come on main bathing festivals like Mauni Amavasya (February 10) and Basant Panchmi (February 15) when the influx of visitors to the city is exceptionally higher than usual," Chaturvedi said.

He, however, added, "Film personalities may undertake publicity work in parts of the cities that are not in the vicinity of the Kumbh area, on days other than the bathing festivals."

The move comes in the wake of a visit proposed by Balaji Motion Pictures along with lead actors Emraan Hashmi and Huma Qureshi, composer Vishal Bharadwaj and producer Ekta Kapoor on February 10, coinciding with Mauni Amavasya, to take a holy dip besides promoting their upcoming release "Ek Thi Daayan".

It was also reported that choreographer-filmmaker Prabhu Deva was planning a promotional event for upcoming film "Any Body Can Dance (ABCD)", in which he is also playing the lead, at the Kumbh.

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