The Impact You Create in Someone’s Life Stays Forever

You are being introduced here as "I am Peacemaker". You are attending the Billionaires for Peace conclave today. How did this association happen?

I believe God connects like-minded people together. Whenever people come together with the intention of changing lives and helping humanity, beautiful things happen. I think this is just the beginning of a wonderful journey.

During Covid, you became a real-life hero for millions. Now, when the world is going through so much upheaval, what role do you see yourself playing?

I never really plan the things I do. Even during Covid, I had no idea how we would arrange buses, flights, or trains for people, but somehow everything happened because we kept trying. I strongly believe that no matter how many times you fail, you must continue trying, and eventually life finds a way.

Continuing the journey from covid

That journey which began during Covid still continues today. Every single day, hundreds of people come outside my house seeking help. In fact, those people teach me something new every day — whether it’s arranging surgeries, helping with education, or finding jobs for someone. I believe the biggest lesson is to remain a good learner. If you are willing to learn from people, life will keep teaching you something meaningful every day.

You are actively involved in education, medical support, and especially empowering girls through education, while also balancing a successful acting career in Bollywood and the South industry. How do you manage your time?

Honestly, there’s no fixed schedule for helping people. Even when I’m shooting on set, people come and share their problems with me between shots, and we try to help however we can.Every Sunday at my Mumbai home, I meet people personally. During the weekdays too, people wait outside my office or house until I finish work because many of them travel from states like UP, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. I cannot ask them to return after a week because they’ve already spent so much time and money reaching Mumbai.

Connecting with people

Over the last few years, I’ve connected with countless common people across the country and even abroad. Sometimes, all someone needs are for you to listen to them and make one sincere phone call. Not every case works out, but many times God creates a path where you’re able to save a life or simply bring a smile to someone’s face. That feeling is priceless.

Your journey in the film industry has been inspiring. From struggling in your early days to becoming a star in both Bollywood and South cinema, you’ve now become a symbol of humanity and hope. How do you look at this transformation?

When I completed engineering and came to Mumbai, my dream was simple — to make a name for myself in films so people would recognize me as an actor.But later I realized that saving someone’s life or bringing happiness to a needy person is far bigger than box office numbers. Films may come and go, but the impact you create in someone’s life stays forever, across generations. That’s the path I’ve chosen now, and I’ll continue walking on it till my last breath.

At the same time, the Hindi film industry is struggling with box office numbers. Yet many films are still being celebrated as successes. According to you, what is missing in today’s cinema?

The most important thing is to make good cinema. Audiences today are very informed and intelligent, so filmmakers need to focus on strong content and proper preparation.You cannot make a good film without investing time in the script and pre-production. Unfortunately, sometimes films go on floors without complete preparation or even a finished script. Cinema requires honesty and hard work from the very beginning.

You’ve now become a producer and director with Fateh. What’s next for you on the film front?

Yes, after Fateh, I’m directing another film called Nandi. We are planning to begin shooting around October or November. The preparation has already been going on for the last four to five months, and I’m very excited about it. Hopefully, we’ll meet again soon at the box office.

Recently, you’ve also been doing remarkable work for breast cancer patients. What message would you like to give to women battling this disease?

Around four-and-a-half to five years ago, I came across my first breast cancer case, and since then we’ve helped conduct nearly 650 surgeries. Today, I want to say this openly — any woman from anywhere in India who needs breast cancer surgery can come to Mumbai, and we will ensure the surgery happens completely free of cost.