On Independence Day, Sony SAB artists celebrate the values that make India stronger every day

Independence Day is marked with pride and celebration across the country and serves as a reminder that freedom comes with responsibility. Marking the occasion, Sony SAB artists Manish Wadhwa, Gulki Joshi, Toral Rasputra, Karuna Pandey, Iqbal Khan, and Samridh Bawa reflect on what independence truly means to them and how every citizen can contribute towards building a stronger nation.

From respecting one another and embracing equality to preserving our values and taking responsibility for our actions, the artists share the ideals that make them proud to call India home.

Iqbal Khan who essays the role of Dr Dev Mehta in Yaadein shared, “For me loving your country is reflected in the choices you make every single day. It means keeping your surroundings clean, treating everyone with kindness and equality and extending a helping hand whenever you can. True patriotism is about being a responsible citizen and contributing in whatever way possible towards making our country a better place."

Toral Rasputra who essays the role of Kunti in Hastinapur Ke Veer shared, “To me freedom means having the confidence to live life on your own terms while staying true to your values. Today women are making remarkable strides across every field but true independence will be achieved when every woman feels equally safe, respected and empowered to make her own choices. As a society we have come a long way but there is still more we can do to create equal opportunities for everyone.”

Manish Wadhwa who essays the role of Bhishma Pitamah in Hastinapur Ke Veer shared, “Independence Day has always been an emotional occasion for me because it reminds us of the countless people who sacrificed everything so that we could live with dignity and freedom. As an actor I have had the privilege of portraying characters rooted in our history and culture and that has only deepened my respect for our nation's journey. Every time I see the national flag unfurl or hear the national anthem I feel an overwhelming sense of pride. I believe true patriotism lies in respecting one another, preserving our values and doing our bit no matter how small to make India stronger every single day.”

Karuna Pandey who essays the role of Pushpa in Pushpa Impossible shared, “One of my favourite parts of Independence Day has always been watching the flag hoisting and hearing the national anthem it gives me goosebumps every single time. I feel incredibly grateful to live in a country where I can pursue my dreams and express myself freely. For me, the best way to celebrate this freedom is by spreading kindness, staying responsible and giving back whenever I can.”

Gulki Joshi, who essays the role of Dr Srishty Agarwal in Yaadein, shared, “As an actor, I feel incredibly fortunate to express different emotions and bring so many stories to life. That makes me value the freedom to express myself even more. To me freedom is not just about having a voice, it is also about creating space for others to be heard, accepted and celebrated for who they are. When we encourage each other to dream fearlessly and respect different perspectives, we truly embrace the spirit of a free India.”

Samridh Bawa who essays the role of Ashwin in Pushpa Impossible shared, “As a child, Independence Day meant wearing crisp white clothes, waving little flags and singing patriotic songs with friends. Those memories still make me smile. Today I understand that freedom is much more than a celebration, it is a responsibility. We have the privilege to dream big, speak our minds and build our own futures because of the sacrifices made by generations before us. I feel incredibly proud to belong to a country that embraces so many cultures, traditions and perspectives while standing together as one. That is the true spirit of India and it's something worth celebrating every day.”