Bollywood’s iconic personality, Jackie Shroff, exemplified civic mindfulness by participating in a cleanliness drive organized at the oldest Ram Temple in Mumbai. The 66-year-old actor, fondly referred to as ‘Bollywood’s bhidu,’ was spotted on Sunday, January 14, actively engaging in the communal effort of beautifying the revered religious site. His participation reflects a bourgeoning trend of public figures endorsing social causes, subtly inspiring others to follow suit.
Social media erupted with posts showcasing Jackie Shroff sweeping the temple steps with a broom, as part of the larger cleanliness endeavor preceding the eminent Ram Mandir consecration ceremony scheduled in Ayodhya. These heartening visuals received applause and garnered immense respect for the actor, who aligns with the purity the temple embodies.
Strengthening this commendable initiative further was Amruta Fadnavis, the wife of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, who joined the Bollywood star during the event, showcasing solidarity and contribution across diverse sectors of society.
As cultural preservation surges forth in societal priorities, such cleanliness drives have been prevalent with Union Ministers, Chief Ministers, and celebrities rallying behind them. These initiatives reflect India’s deep-seated reverence for its heritage sites and are seen as a precursor to the Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir consecration ceremony slated for January 22.
Coinciding with this act of service, Jackie Shroff took to social media platforms to share an affirmation of his involvement in the upcoming Ayodhya ceremony. Thrilled by the prospect, he disseminated a series of images, celebrating the invitation to be a part of the Shri Ram JanmBhoomi Mandir Praan-Pratishtha Ceremony. Extending gratitude towards those who poured decades of effort into making the historic day a reality, he acknowledged the influential individuals who graced him with the invitation, paying particular homage to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), as well as friends who facilitated this honor.
Jackie, alongside his son, renowned actor Tiger Shroff, join a decorated list of attendees that includes luminaries of Bollywood like Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Randeep Hooda, and Lin Laishram. Adding international appeal, globally recognized actor Ram Charan and his spouse, Upasana, also partake in accepting invitations personally imparted by Shri Sunil Ambekar — manifesting the ceremonial’s significance transcending regional boundaries.
The prestigious Pran Pratishta ceremony, orchestrated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will cement its mark in the annals of time within the sacred precincts of Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. With a gamut of eminent figures across the political, industrial, sports, and entertainment spectra anticipated, this event underscores the social and religious coherence within the collective Indian ethos.
Shroff’s involvement in the local temple’s sanitation drive amplifies the underlying message of community engagement and cultural respect pivotal to India’s intrinsic values. The viral outbreaks of such humble demonstrations by prominent figures serve as motivational touchstones, prompting collective stewardship over the nation’s celebrated monuments and sites of worship.
Indeed, as the nation awaits the high-profile and historic ceremony in Ayodhya, it is the collective grassroots activities such as these that cultivate a sense of shared responsibility and pride — characteristics that define the nation’s spirit as shaped by its profound reverence for tradition and its harbingers.
