Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Sabeer Bhatia Recalls Waiter Touching Bollywood Actress's Feet
Sabeer Bhatia told a story about a party at his home many years ago.
He had invited a Bollywood actress but did not share her name.
A worker serving food recognized her and bowed down to touch her feet.
Bhatia said his American guests did not understand why the worker did that.
He said the moment made him think about how people sometimes show great respect to celebrities in India.
He noted that this can seem confusing to people from other cultures.
His story was shared on X and attracted reactions from users.
Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia shared the anecdote in a post on X.
He said he invited an unnamed Bollywood actress to his home decades ago.
A wait staff member recognized the actress, put down a tray, and touched her feet.
Bhatia said his American guests were bewildered and asked why the worker had done so.
He said the moment made him reflect on how celebrity worship in India can seem unfamiliar to outsiders.
- Who
- Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia, an unnamed Bollywood actress, a wait staff member, and American guests.
- What
- Bhatia recounted a wait staff member recognizing an actress and touching her feet at his home.
- When
- The incident occurred decades ago; Bhatia later recounted it in a post on X.
- Where
- At Bhatia's home; the post appeared on X.
- Why
- Bhatia used the guests' bewilderment to reflect on celebrity worship in Indian culture.
Cultural familiarity
Outside perspective
The gesture toward the actress
Cultural familiarity
Bhatia said the act reflected a form of celebrity worship deeply embedded in Indian culture.
Outside perspective
His American guests were bewildered and asked why the wait staff member touched her feet.
- Person sharing the story
- Sabeer Bhatia, Hotmail co-founder
- Platform
- X
- Incident
- A wait staff member recognized an invited Bollywood actress and touched her feet.
- Actress's identity
- Not disclosed by Bhatia
- Guests' reaction
- Bhatia said his American guests were bewildered.
- Bhatia's reflection
- He described celebrity worship as deeply embedded in Indian culture and potentially incomprehensible to outsiders.