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Social media influencer and Bigg Boss OTT 3 contestant Payal Malik recently issued a tearful public apology at the Kali Mata Temple in Patiala, following a wave of outrage over a now-deleted video in which she was seen dressed as Goddess Kali. The clip, intended as a tribute to her daughter, sparked controversy for misrepresenting the revered deity and drew criticism from several religious groups and netizens alike.

Payal Malik apologises for her video

On Tuesday, July 22, Payal, accompanied by her husband Armaan Malik and their daughter Tuba, visited the temple to seek forgiveness. With folded hands and tearful eyes, she addressed the media, taking full responsibility for the incident and appealing to the public not to repeat her mistake.

“Meri bacchi Kali Maa ki badi bhakt hai, isliye maine socha uske liye woh look recreate karu. Shayad mujhse badi galti ho gayi. Main sabhi se haath jod kar maafi maangti hoon. Jo maine kiya, koi aur woh galti na dohraye (My daughter is a devoted follower of Kali Maa, so I thought of recreating the look for her. Maybe I made a big mistake. I fold my hands and sincerely apologise to everyone. I hope no one repeats the mistake I made),” she said.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Payal Malik (@payal_malik_53)

Payal also explained that the controversial video was filmed nearly three months ago and was taken down shortly after negative comments began pouring in. However, the video continued to circulate after being saved and reshared by others on social media.

“Maine comments padhe aur samjha ki maine galti ki, isliye video turant delete kar diya. Lekin dusre pages ne us video ko save karke aage share kiya (I read the comments and realised that I had made a mistake, so I immediately deleted the video. But other pages had saved it and started sharing it further),” she clarified.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Payal Malik (@payal_malik_53)

Payal gets emotional as she seeks apology

In a video clip from her temple visit, the influencer can be seen visibly distressed, crying as she sought forgiveness from religious leaders and the public. She also made it clear that she was willing to face the consequences of her actions.

“Mujhe jo bhi saza di jayegi, main usse mannane ke liye tayyar hoon. Jo bhi kaha jayega, main woh karungi (I am ready to accept whatever punishment is given to me. I will do whatever is asked of me),” Payal added.

As part of her penance, Payal and Armaan took part in seva at the temple—cleaning utensils and serving food to devotees. These moments were also shared on her Instagram, perhaps in a bid to show her sincerity and accountability in the face of the backlash.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Payal Malik (@payal_malik_53)

The video in question had shown Payal dressed in a dramatic representation of Goddess Kali, holding symbolic items such as a Trishul (trident) and wearing a traditional crown. The portrayal, however, didn’t sit well with many viewers who deemed it disrespectful and tone-deaf to religious sentiments.

About Malik family

Payal and Armaan Malik are no strangers to public attention. Known for their unconventional family dynamic, the couple, along with Armaan’s second wife Kritika Malik, made headlines during their stint on Bigg Boss OTT 3, hosted by Salman Khan. The trio, who have often shared details of their personal lives online, have four children: Chirayu, Tuba, Ayan, and Zaid.

Armaan first married Payal in 2011, and later tied the knot with her best friend Kritika in 2018, a relationship setup that continues to intrigue social media followers.