New Delhi:

Actor Sonu Sood, who helped migrant workers during the Covid-19 pandemic, recently revealed that he was offered some big political posts such as the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and a seat in the Rajya Sabha. However, he refused them all.

“I was offered the position of Chief Minister. When I refused, they told me to become the Deputy Chief Minister. These were very big people in the country who also offered me a seat in the Rajya Sabha. They told me to take it and I don’t need to fight for anything in politics,” Mr Sood said during an interview with the Humans of Bombay.

“It’s an exciting phase when such powerful people want to meet you and encourage you to make a difference in the world,” he added.

Mr Sood planned to stay out of politics for now as he feared losing his freedom.

“People join politics for two reasons: to earn money or to gain power. I’m not interested in either of them. If it’s about helping people, I’m already doing that. I don’t need to ask anyone for that right now. If I want to help someone, I do it on my own. I might become accountable to someone else, and that scares me. I fear losing my freedom,” he said.

Giving a metaphorical example, Mr Sood said that when one starts gaining popularity, they begin rising in life. “But at higher altitudes, oxygen levels are lower. We want to rise, but how long you can sustain yourself up there is important,” he said.

The actor said that many people told him that he would get luxuries such as a house in Delhi, a significant position, high security, and letterhead with a government stamp if he joined politics.

“That sounds great, and I like hearing it. But I’m not ready right now Maybe a few years down the line, I might feel differently. Never say never…but right now there’s still an actor-director left inside me. I’m not against politics and I respect politicians. I have friends who are doing great work,” he added.

From being an Olympic medal contender to an unfortunate disqualification and finishing last, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s world turned upside down in a matter of hours. Following her exit from the Olympics 2024, Vinesh announced her retirement from wrestling. Bollywood actor Sonu Sood has now shared a heartwarming post, offering a show of support for Phogat.

Sonu posted on X (formerly Twitter), “When you achieve something which way above any medal. That’s what you have achieved my friend @Phogat_Vinesh.”

“So proud of you. Let’s give her such a warm welcome that every athlete in this country irrespective of any win or lose can proudly say “THATS MY INDIA,” he concluded.

When you achieve something which way above any medal ????
That’s what you have achieved my friend @Phogat_Vinesh .
So proud of you.
Let’s give her such a warm welcome that every athlete in this country irrespective of any win or lose can proudly say ”THATS MY INDIA ???????? “ pic.twitter.com/uWAIjKHg6R

— sonu sood (@SonuSood) August 7, 2024

Vinesh Phogat was to feature in a gold-medal bout in the women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling event at the Paris Olympics. The three-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist was disqualified ahead of the final after she was found weighing 100 grams over the 50-kg weight limit for her event.

Despite an entire night of hard work and some rigorous sessions in the sauna, she failed to reduce her weight. Vinesh also decided to lodge a protest at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) yesterday, challenging her elimination.

Later, sharing a post on social media Vinesh Phogat announced her retirement from competitive wrestling. She said that wrestling won the final bout against her and she lost. “Wrestling won the match against me, I lost… my courage is all broken, I don’t have any more strength now.  Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024. I will forever be in your debt,” the 29-year-old said on X.

माँ कुश्ती मेरे से जीत गई मैं हार गई माफ़ करना आपका सपना मेरी हिम्मत सब टूट चुके इससे ज़्यादा ताक़त नहीं रही अब।

अलविदा कुश्ती 2001-2024 ????

आप सबकी हमेशा ऋणी रहूँगी माफी ????????

— Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) August 7, 2024

Having made her professional debut in 2001, Vinesh had a brilliant start to her Paris Olympics campaign having clinched a win against the top seed and Japan’s defending Olympic champion Yui Susaki in the opening round. In the quarter-finals, Vinesh beat former European champion Oksana Livach of Ukraine. The Indian wrestler secured another convincing victory against the reigning Pan American Games champion Yusneylis Guzman in the semi-final. Phogat was set to take on sixth-seeded American Sarah Hildebrandt in the gold-medal decider.

Mumbai:

Bharatiya Janata Party MP Kangana Ranaut has questioned actor Sonu Sood’s stand on the Uttar Pradesh government’s directive for food shops on the Kanwar Yatra route to display their owners’ names.

After Sonu Sood’s post stating that only “humanity” should be displayed on shop nameplates, BJP MP Kangana Ranaut questioned the actor’s stand.

The debate stems from the Uttar Pradesh government order mandating the display of owners’ names on shops and eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route.

Sonu Sood took to X to express his views on the matter, stating, “There should be only one name plate on every shop: “HUMANITY”

There should be only one name plate on every shop : “HUMANITY”

— sonu sood (@SonuSood) July 19, 2024

This statement received backlash from several social media users tagging it as a critique of the government’s directive.

Reacting to Sonu Sood’s stance, Kangana Ranaut said, “Agree, Halal should be replaced with “HUMANITY.”

Agree, Halal should be replaced with ” HUMANITY” https://t.co/EqbGml2Yew

— Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) July 19, 2024

Earlier, screenwriter Javed Akhtar also reacted to the ongoing controversy over the incident and strongly criticised the administration.

“Muzaffarnagar UP police has given instructions that on the route of a particular religious procession in near future all the shops restaurants n even vehicles should show the name of the owner prominently and clearly. Why? In Nazi Germany they used to make only a mark on particular shops and houses,” Javed Akhtar posted on X.

On Friday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath mandated that food and beverage shops along Kanwar routes should display the name and identity of the operator/owner to maintain the sanctity of the pilgrims’ faith.

Additionally, action will be taken against those selling halal-certified products. The move by the Uttar Pradesh government to enforce the use of ID Cards by all shops in the state that fall along the Kanwar Yatra route has resulted in a political slugfest between the BJP and the opposition.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Actor Sonu Sood has taken a strong stand against drugs abuse in Punjab. In a video released by the Director General of Punjab Police on X (formerly known as Twitter), the actor urges everyone to help in eradicating drugs abuse from the state.

“Punjab has always been known for its spirited youth. But for quite some time now, I have been observing that people say use of drugs has increased in Punjab. The new generation, our youth, seems to be greatly affected by drugs. Even when I personally visit Moga or various parts of Punjab, I see that many people, especially the youth, are trapped in drug addiction. Due to drugs, crime has increased as they need money to buy it,” Mr Sood says in the video.

He recalls he once ran a campaign to rescue around 280 children who were under the influence of drugs. He says he had also tried to support them in returning to a drug-free life.

“But back then, we [Sonu Sood and his team] couldn’t reach a lot of people who needed help. To help them, the Punjab government, our honourable Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann bhaji (brother), and our DGP Yadav ji have taken an excellent initiative. Their efforts to make Punjab drug-free have been remarkable. I urge everyone to support this cause. Let’s unite and make Punjab a drug-free state. This can only happen when we all come together and support this campaign,” he continues.

“Let’s work together to make Punjab drug-free, and let the land of Punjab be known once again for its youth. I salute the efforts of the Punjab government and the entire police force for their dedication. Keep this initiative going, and together, we will bring Punjab back to the top,” he adds.

The text attached to the clip read, “Thank you, Sonu Sood, for the motivational message. Punjab Police is working tirelessly to break the backbone of drugs. Very soon our collective efforts will help eradicate drugs from Punjab under the vision of chief minister Bhagwant Mann.”

Thank you @SonuSood for the motivational message. @PunjabPoliceInd is working tirelessly to break the backbone of drugs.

Very soon our collective efforts will help eradicate drugs from #Punjab under the vision of CM @BhagwantMann#PunjabFightsDrugspic.twitter.com/SRc7EmdGR6

— DGP Punjab Police (@DGPPunjabPolice) September 3, 2023

Last month, Punjab Police seized 77 kg of heroin from four people allegedly involved in a trans-border drug smuggling racket.