On this Independence Day, celebrities talk about their favourite freedom fighter, the patriotic song that they love the most and what freedom means to them

Happy & hopeful
Moni Rai

I feel freedom is a feeling of being free-spirited, happy and hopeful. For me, Bhagat Singh was a great freedom fighter. He has dedicated his full life to fighting for India’s freedom and that is why I am his big fan. As far as the song is concerned, Kar Chale Hum Fida from the movie Haqeeqat is my favourite patriotic song. Mohammad Rafi saab’s voice gives goosebumps every time I listen to this song.

Free spirit
Parull Chaudhry

Freedom is actually everything. I think it’s most important for human survival. My favourite freedom fighter is Mangal Pandey. We’ve known his story, what he has done and also after watching the film on him I think he kind of stayed in my head. My favourite patriotic song is Vande Mataram. We’ve been singing it since we were children.

Being responsible
Delnaaz Irani

Independence means being responsible and also being able to follow your heart at the same time. We get one life and we must make the most of it. We are part of a progressive nation and we must respect our freedom fighters, who earned us this freedom after a lot of struggle. My favourite freedom fighter is Rani Laxmibai. She was a true warrior. My favourite song is Har Karm Apna Karege from the film Karma.

No compromise
Smita Dongre

Independence means no compromise with your thoughts or with your happiness. We are in the 21st century, yet every moment we are fighting against caste issues, violence against women and children, mental harassment, corruption etc. Taking any one freedom fighter’s name is not justified. Rani Laxmibai, Sarojini Naidu, Shivaram Rajguru, Bhagat Singh; everyone fought for India’s Independence. I would like to name Veer Savarkar and Subhash Chandra Bose for their leadership qualities. My favourite songs are Sandese Aate Hain and Ae Watan Watan Mere.

Heart-touching
Sharad Malhotra

Independence Day means doing what you love and loving what you do. I believe in living life on my own terms. My favourite freedom fighter is Maharana Pratap. I got to play his role in a TV show too. He was a real warrior. He inspires me. I love the song Rang De Basanti Chola. The feeling of patriotism is always heart-touching.

Right path
Himanshu Malhotra

Independence means following your heart and standing up for what is right. We all must value our independence. My favourite patriotic song is Ae Mere Vatan Ke Logon. My favourite freedom fighter is Subhash Chandra Bose. He was a man of principles, who set an example. As a child too his story fascinated me.