As the country celebrates Independence Day, Karuna Pandey—who plays the titular character in Sony SAB’s hit show Pushpa Impossible, produced by Hats Off Productions—shares her heartfelt thoughts on patriotism, national pride, and how her show keeps her grounded in Indian culture.
Coming from an Army background, Independence Day holds a uniquely personal significance for her. Reflecting on what the day means to her, Karuna shares, “Azaadi is not a word that comes to my mind as much as Swatantrata because I come from an Army background, and we always used to celebrate Swatantrata Diwas. When that word is spoken, the first thing that comes to my mind is the amount of oppression our country went through, whether from the British or the Mughals, and the sacrifice and dedication of the freedom fighters who brought our country to where it is today. The second thought is how we can honour their sacrifices and carry that same belief and ideology forward.”
When it comes to freedom, it is a very human thing—I want society and human beings to be free from negativity, from putting each other down, and from pulling each other back.
When asked which colour of the Indian flag best reflects her personality, the actress feels human emotions are multifaceted, though two specific hues resonate deeply with her. “I connect more with saffron and white. White represents peace, while saffron represents brightness and light, like the sun. I am a very energetic person, so I feel saffron represents me more because it is full of energy. I relate to the energy, the way I talk, the way I walk, and the strength that the colour represents.”
For Karuna, contributing to the nation’s progress doesn’t always require grand gestures—it starts with everyday responsibility and individual honesty. “The everyday action we can take to contribute to the nation’s progress is to do our job with full integrity and perform our duties properly. Whatever field we are in, whichever position we hold, we should be very true and honest in our work. We can pay our taxes on time and keep a daily check on ourselves to make sure we are not on the wrong path. Doing our work properly is something that is directly in our hands.”
Sharing her views on reform and freedom within the entertainment industry and society at large, she believes cinema is simply a mirror to human life. “I think reform happens at its own pace. When it comes to freedom, it is a very human thing—I want society and human beings to be free from negativity, from putting each other down, and from pulling each other back. The entertainment industry is a reflection of life, and I think it is already being reformed day by day.”
While she hasn’t played a historical freedom fighter yet, Karuna considers her role in Pushpa Impossible to be her strongest link to Indian roots. “When it comes to history or culture, Pushpa is very connected to the language of our country, our culture, and the way she lives and celebrates it. Pushpa is the character who has connected me the most deeply with the nation’s history, culture, and language. More than playing a specific historical figure, living the raw emotion and jazba of those who fought for freedom is what truly matters to me.”
Concluding her message, Karuna highlights the transformative power of storytelling in bringing people together across regions and cultures. “Indian cinema has been one of the biggest examples of unity in diversity. In every film, you can see how cinema portrays and enhances this emotion, which already exists in our country. Cinema and television reach people very easily, and the way unity in diversity is portrayed in patriotic films and general content helps spread that powerful message to every household.”
