In an atmosphere steeming with devotion and reverence, Bollywood megastar Akshay Kumar played a key role in a poignant spiritual ceremony held at NSCI, Mumbai. On March 31st, as followers gathered in awe and veneration, the actor had the distinguished privilege of offering bhog, a ceremonial meal, to Shri Hansratna Surishwarji, an illustrious Jain monk, marking the successful completion of his monumental 180-day fast.
Adorned in a flawless kurta, Akshay Kumar brought grace and dignity to this grand spiritual gathering. Shri Hansratna Surishwarji, celebrated within the Jain community, is one of a small number of monks to have undertaken this awe-inspiring feat, and the only one to do so for the seventh time. Throughout these 180 days, he sustained himself solely on water, in a testament to his iron will and deep spiritual commitment.
This spectacular fast draws inspiration from the revered Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, who is said to have fasted for 180 days on two different occasions to spread the message of peace and non-violence. With his recent achievement, Shri Hansratna Surishwarji joins an elite group, becoming one of only twelve individuals in Jain history to have fasted for such an extensive period.
For Akshay Kumar, known for his profound respect for spiritual teachings and practices, the opportunity to be part of such a sacred event was deeply symbolic and echoed his personal beliefs. As he humbly offered the meal, Akshay connected with both Shri Hansratna Surishwarji and the wider Jain community on a profound level—his sincerity and compassionate nature shining through and touching the hearts of all in attendance.
As the actor engaged with the esteemed monk and the devotees, the gathering was imbued with a spirit of mutual admiration and spiritual kinship. Akshay’s participation is seen as an extension of his long-standing commitment to uphold and honor cultural and religious traditions, which he has consistently demonstrated throughout his public life and career.
Away from the spiritual domain, Akshay Kumar remains a dominant force in the Indian film industry with a slew of exciting projects lining up. He is set to headline the star-studded ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’ alongside Tiger Shroff, Sonakshi Sinha, Alaya F, and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, the film is eagerly anticipated by audiences, with a release set for the festive occasion of Eid in 2024. Celebrated for its cross-continental shoot spanning Mumbai, London, Abu Dhabi, Scotland, and Jordan, the movie promises to deliver glitzy, Hollywood-esque production values.
Continuing to work on a diverse range of films, Akshay’s pipeline includes ‘Housefull 5’, a spirited remake of ‘Soorarai Pottru’ now titled ‘Sarfira’, the adventure-laden ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, a cameo in Rohit Shetty’s ‘Singham Again’, ‘Sky Force’, and the Marathi period drama ‘Vedat Marathe Veer Daudle Saat’ where he essays the role of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The eclectic mix of genres in his upcoming slate promises to showcase his versatility as an actor. Also on the horizon is ‘The Untold Story of C Sankaran Nair’, and the much-anticipated comedy caper ‘Hera Pheri 3’.
Recent projects saw Akshay complete the production for ‘Khel Khel Mein’, an upcoming film that pairs him with Taapsee Pannu and Vaani Kapoor. Written and directed by Mudassar Aziz, known for successful comedies like ‘Happy Bhag Jayegi’ and ‘Pati Patni Aur Woh’, the film is anticipated to be a quirky yet heartwarming narrative. The cast is further bolstered by names such as Ammy Virk, Aditya Seal, and Pragya Jaiswal, along with the return of the much-missed Fardeen Khan to the silver screen.
The confluence of spirituality and cinema in Akshay Kumar’s life reflects the multifaceted personality of an individual deeply rooted in cultural ethos while continuing to charm global audiences with his on-screen prowess.
