Harleen Kaur Rekhi, known for her powerful portrayal of Mandodari in Shrimad Ramayan and her theatre performance in Hamare Ram alongside Ashutosh Rana, is currently playing the lead role of Kaamdhenu Devi in Sagar World Multimedia’s new show, Kamdhenu Gaumata on Star Bharat. She believes that patriotism should be a way of life every day, reflected through our actions, responsibilities, and respect for the nation, rather than being limited to symbolic displays on 15th August. For her, true patriotism lies in contributing positively to society, upholding values, and honouring the sacrifices that built our freedom.
Speaking about the freedom fighter who inspired her, Harleen shared, “Bhagat Singh — because at such a young age, in that era, he did so much for our country. Everyone remembers him for his sacrifice and his patriotism. I would like to share one important lesson: you should always strive to be a perfect human being. Work towards perfection, but not just for yourself — serve humanity. Aim for excellence in a way that helps build a nation whose culture, heritage, and ethical values continue to flourish for generations.”
For Harleen, staying connected to India’s roots is as important as embracing progress. “We should always strive for the best and make our country proud. While it’s fine to adopt aspects of Western culture, we must also embrace and protect our deep traditional values,” she said.
This year’s Independence Day holds special meaning for the actress. “It’s always a meaningful occasion, but this year stands out because, as a team and as a country, we will be wearing T-shirts and jackets with the India logo and name on them in Dubai. We will also be performing our play Hamare Ram at the Dubai Opera — our first-ever international performance — and it’s truly an honour. The play carries deep messages about our culture and history, and to showcase it on such a global stage makes this Independence Day even more special,” she expressed with pride.
Harleen also stressed the importance of sincere, consistent effort towards nation-building. “We must be more sincere in our efforts. We should take meaningful steps to build a stronger nation, to serve our people, and to help the younger generations. Independence Day should not be the only day we feel patriotic — every day should be a celebration of everything that makes our country proud. Serving the nation is not just important, it is our utmost responsibility.”
