Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn participated in a beach cleanup drive at Mumbai’s Juhu Beach on Saturday, September 26, following the Ganesh Visarjan celebrations. The actor joined volunteers and other participants as part of the Sea Shore Shine 2026 initiative organised by the Divyaj Foundation.
Videos and reports from the event showed Devgn actively participating in the cleanup rather than simply attending the programme. He was seen walking along the beach and collecting waste before placing it in bags and designated waste containers alongside volunteers. The initiative was organised a day after Ganesh Visarjan, when large numbers of devotees had gathered at Mumbai’s coastline for the immersion of Lord Ganesha idols.
The Sea Shore Shine 2026 campaign brought together volunteers, civic representatives and public figures for a post festival cleanup effort. Amruta Fadnavis, founder of the Divyaj Foundation, also participated in the initiative. Her daughter Divija Fadnavis and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner Ashwini Bhide were among those who took part in the drive.
The cleanup was held at a time when Mumbai was coming out of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival period. Ganesh Visarjan, which marks the conclusion of the festival, involves devotees taking Ganesha idols to water bodies for immersion. Mumbai’s beaches and other water bodies can require additional cleaning after the celebrations, particularly because discarded materials and festival-related waste may remain along the shoreline.
Devgn used the occasion to speak about individual responsibility for maintaining public spaces. During the event, he compared the responsibility of keeping public places clean with the way people take care of their own homes. He said that citizens should also consider the cleanliness of their city, country and seas as a shared responsibility.
The actor also said that meaningful change requires individuals to make small efforts. His participation in the drive added visibility to the campaign, while the wider initiative focused on encouraging citizens and volunteers to contribute to keeping Mumbai’s coastline clean.
Amruta Fadnavis, who leads the Divyaj Foundation, highlighted the importance of environmental awareness following the festival. The initiative also involved children and volunteers, with organisers seeking to encourage greater public participation in activities related to cleanliness and environmental responsibility.
Divija Fadnavis also spoke about the importance of young people participating in social initiatives. She said that involvement in beach cleanup activities can help create a sense of responsibility among younger citizens toward public spaces and the environment.
The presence of BMC officials at the event also highlighted the civic aspect of the campaign. Mumbai’s coastline is one of the city’s prominent public spaces, and cleanup activities after major festivals are part of broader efforts to address waste and maintain public areas.
For Devgn, the beach cleanup provided a public appearance away from his regular film-related activities. The actor has remained active in Bollywood and has several projects associated with his name. His participation in the Juhu campaign brought attention to an environmental initiative while allowing him to interact directly with volunteers involved in the cleanup.
The event also reflects the growing participation of film personalities in public awareness campaigns. Celebrity involvement can attract wider attention to civic and environmental activities, although long-term cleanliness ultimately depends on regular waste management, public participation and responsible behaviour.
The Juhu Beach cleanup came one day after Anant Chaturdashi, the day traditionally associated with the conclusion of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. On this occasion, devotees bid farewell to Lord Ganesha through immersion ceremonies. Large gatherings take place across Mumbai, including at coastal locations.
Environmental concerns surrounding festival celebrations have increasingly led to discussions about responsible practices, waste management and the protection of water bodies. Cleanup campaigns following major public celebrations are intended to address waste left behind and raise awareness about keeping public spaces clean.
During his interaction at the Juhu Beach event, Devgn described the campaign as a creative initiative and said he wanted to support the team behind it. He personally joined the cleanup work and participated alongside the other volunteers.
The campaign also featured participation from civic representatives and members of the public. Such initiatives provide an opportunity to draw attention to the importance of maintaining beaches beyond major festival periods.
Juhu Beach is one of Mumbai’s well known public beaches and regularly attracts residents and visitors. Maintaining the shoreline requires continuous efforts involving civic authorities, waste management teams, local organisations and members of the public.
The participation of a major Bollywood actor such as Ajay Devgn therefore became one of the prominent aspects of the September 26 campaign. Images and videos from the event showed the actor taking part in the physical cleanup work, alongside other participants.
The campaign's central message was that maintaining cleanliness is not solely the responsibility of civic authorities. Organisers and participants encouraged citizens to play a direct role in protecting public spaces and the marine environment.
For Mumbai, the post Ganesh Visarjan cleanup also serves as an important reminder of the need for responsible celebrations. While festival traditions remain an important part of the city's cultural life, environmental considerations have become an increasingly visible part of discussions around public celebrations.
Ajay Devgn’s participation has consequently drawn attention to the cleanup effort and the broader message of civic responsibility. The actor’s comments focused on the role individuals can play through simple actions and regular participation in keeping their surroundings clean.
The Sea Shore Shine 2026 initiative is therefore not only a post festival cleanup activity but also an awareness effort aimed at encouraging public participation. The event brought together celebrities, volunteers, civic representatives and members of the community at Juhu Beach.
As Mumbai moves beyond the Ganesh festival period, maintaining the cleanliness of beaches and other public spaces will continue to require cooperation between citizens, local organisations and civic authorities. The Juhu Beach campaign has provided another platform for highlighting that responsibility.
Ajay Devgn’s hands on participation in the drive has now become one of the notable moments from the campaign, with the actor joining volunteers to remove waste from the beach and publicly encouraging citizens to contribute to keeping Mumbai’s public spaces clean.
