On the occasion of Independence Day, actor Naman Shaw—last seen playing the complex role of Adit Saxena in Mangal Lakshmi—shared his insightful thoughts on what freedom means to him, the role of the Indian entertainment industry in uniting the nation, and the changes he hopes to see in the entertainment industry.
Reflecting on the essence of Independence Day, Naman shared, “For me, Azaadi means freedom to be yourself—to dream, to express yourself, and to live with dignity. It also reminds me of the sacrifices made by our freedom fighters.”
When asked which colour of the Indian Tricolour best aligns with his personality and journey, he said, “I would choose Saffron because it represents courage and strength. I feel these are two qualities that have helped me a lot in my life and career.”
I would love to portray Subhas Chandra Bose. His courage, conviction, and leadership are incredibly inspiring.
Emphasising everyday patriotism, Naman believed nation-building begins with personal responsibility. “I think it starts with being responsible in small things—keeping our surroundings clean, following rules, respecting others, and being honest in whatever work we do. Small actions by millions of people can create a big difference.”
Speaking on the evolving landscape of Indian television and cinema, the actor advocated for greater creative freedom. “I would love to see more freedom to experiment. Actors and creators should be able to explore different kinds of stories and characters without being restricted by stereotypes and TRP. Good content should always come first.”
If allowed to step into the shoes of a historical figure on screen, Naman had a clear icon in mind. “I would love to portray Subhas Chandra Bose. His courage, conviction, and leadership are incredibly inspiring. It would be challenging to portray such a powerful personality, but also a great honour.”
On how the entertainment industry plays a pivotal role in promoting unity in diversity across India, he concluded, “India has so many different cultures and languages, but our emotions are the same. Cinema and television bring these different stories to people across the country and show that we are all connected.”
