Randeep Hooda, the actor and filmmaker behind 'Swatantrya Veer Savarkar', spent Sunday morning leading a walkathon that Mumbai's Income Tax Department put together as part of the run-up to the 167th Income Tax Day, just days after the film earned him a National Film Award for his directorial debut.
A Walkathon Tied to Income Tax Day
The Income Tax Department's Mumbai Region organised the drive to mark the build-up to the 167th Income Tax Day, observed every year on July 24. Talking to reporters at the event, Hooda said the walkathon carried a dual message, urging people to stay fit while also spreading awareness about the department's work and how ordinary taxpayers contribute to nation-building through the taxes they pay. "I don't know why people are afraid; everyone should simply do their duty," Hooda said.
Why Hooda Swears By Walking
Beyond the civic message, Hooda used the platform to talk about his own approach to fitness. He said he has tried gym sessions, several sports and different styles of workouts over the years, but has come to realise that walking beats them all. In his view, even someone with no time for anything else will see genuine benefit from simply walking for 30 to 45 minutes each day.
A National Film Award Days Earlier
Hooda's appearance in Mumbai came at a high point in his career. The 72nd National Film Awards, which honour excellence spanning feature films, non-feature work and film writing across Indian cinema, named him Best Debut Director for his biographical drama 'Swatantrya Veer Savarkar'. Reacting to the honour, Hooda admitted he was still coming to terms with it, calling the film the most demanding project of his career so far. He said he was deeply grateful for the recognition, noting that the film gave him the chance to introduce Vinayak Damodar Savarkar's life story and ideas to a younger audience, while he personally handled the acting, the writing and the direction before eventually producing it as well.
The Film and the Freedom Fighter It Portrays
'Swatantrya Veer Savarkar' traces the life of freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, with Hooda in the lead role alongside Ankita Lokhande and Amit Sial in supporting parts. Savarkar himself was born on May 28, 1883, in Bhagur. His resistance to British rule led to his conviction in 1911, when he was punished with two life terms to be served back to back, a combined 50 years in prison, spent at the Cellular Jail, known infamously as 'Kala Pani', in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Savarkar died on February 26, 1966.
