Overview

• Payal Malik apologized tearfully at the Kali Mata Temple on July 22 and declared her willingness to face any punishment for unintentionally hurting religious sentiments.
• She was joined by husband Armaan Malik and daughter Tuba as she bowed before the deity and sought public forgiveness.
• As part of her penance, Malik and her husband performed seva by cleaning temple utensils and serving food to devotees.
• The controversy reignited when the video—featuring her in Kali’s avatar with a Trishul and crown—was reshared after she had deleted it following initial backlash three months ago.
• Online reactions remain divided, with some supporters praising her apology and others dismissing the apology and penance as a publicity stunt.