Dev Sharma Recalls Hindu-Muslim Unity He Witnessed During Ram Mandir Celebrations in Nainital

Dev Sharma was shooting in Nainital in 2024, when celebrations were taking place around the construction and consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

He recalled being near the Naina Devi temple and hearing reports about tensions and possible disturbances in different parts of the country.

“I would like to say one thing. When the Ayodhya temple was being built in 2024, I was shooting in Nainital. If you have been there, there is the Naina Devi temple in Nainital. And on the way to the Naina Devi temple, there is a very big mosque on the corner. I was hearing everywhere that riots were happening somewhere, this was happening somewhere, that was happening somewhere,” Sharma said.

According to the actor, members of his team had also been advised to avoid the area because of concerns about the prevailing atmosphere. He said a Ram yatra subsequently began from the Naina Devi temple and passed close to the mosque.

“During that time, a few things happened, and people told us, ‘Don’t go through that area. You have come here to shoot. Today is the construction of the Ram Mandir, so keep watching,’” he recalled.

Sharma said the procession was chanting “Jai Shri Ram” as it moved along the route. He noticed that a large number of people were gathered at the mosque after prayers had ended, leading those around him to anticipate that tensions could arise.

“The Ram ji yatra had started from the Naina Devi temple, with people saying, ‘Jai Shri Ram.’ The mosque was right there, and there were gates on both sides. The whole mosque was full because their prayers had just ended. Everyone felt that something was going to happen because the whole crowd had gathered there,” he said.

However, Sharma said what happened next surprised him and those around him. He claimed that people emerging from the mosque joined the celebrations and danced to songs devoted to Lord Ram.

“You won’t believe it. I would like to tell all the audience of India, all the viewers, all the people: every Muslim, whether he was wearing a cap or not, came out and danced to the song of Lalla Shri Ram,” he said.

“And they danced in such a way that we were amazed by how happy they were. We were wondering, ‘What is happening?’” Sharma added.

The actor said the experience left a lasting impression on him. He also expressed his personal view that the incident demonstrated the possibility of people from different religious communities sharing in each other’s celebrations.

“So maybe this is the work of Modi ji, that he has brought everyone together. And when I saw this, I was shaken,” Sharma said.

“I still get goosebumps because whenever I remember it, I am surprised. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians, these identities are created by humans. God is the same for everyone,” he added.

“So, the way Hindus and Muslims accepted this at that time was commendable to me,” Sharma said.

Sharma was recently seen as Lord Ram in *Shri Ramayan Katha*, directed by Abhishek Singh. The film also stars Anjali Arora, Sheel Verma and Rajneesh Duggal. The project has faced criticism from some viewers over its interpretation of the source material, including questions about its historical and mythological treatment and perceived deviations from established accounts.