International Yoga Day 2026 saw participation and messages from many Bollywood personalities, including Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Suniel Shetty, and Neil Nitin Mukesh. The actors opened up about the importance of yoga in improving physical and mental health.Shilpa Shetty talks about the origins of yoga in India and its growing acceptance around the world. He noted that the practice has now become a global movement that spans cultures.“I feel very proud that yoga belongs to India and people in the West have adopted it,” the ‘Dhadkan’ actor said while talking to ANI.
Shilpa Shetty credits PM Modi for the global reach of Yoga
Shilpa Shetty praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his efforts to bring yoga to international prominence. He is credited with his initiatives for spreading awareness and participation across India and abroad.“Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided that he will give importance to yoga. The recognition that yoga has received in these times, it is because of him. I want to thank him for this,” he said.He also spoke about the Fit India Movement and encouraged the citizens to actively participate in building a healthier nation. According to him, yoga should be integrated into daily life instead of being limited to one day observance.Expressing his support for the initiative, he said, “The Fit India movement that he started, that dream, we must make it come true.”
Suniel Shetty emphasizes discipline and daily practice
Actor Suniel Shetty speaks about the importance of consistency in maintaining health through yoga. He emphasized that yoga is not limited by age and can benefit individuals at every stage of life.“It’s very important to be consistent to stay fit. Whatever you do, it’s very important to do it every day. Sometimes yoga can be very boring. But it’s about breathing, stretching, and about life,” he told ANI.He further explains the benefits of breathing exercises and yoga practices for physical health and emotional balance.“For longer life or weight loss, only breathing will help you. Pranayams will help you, your asana will help you. It is not limited to any specific age. Yoga is equally important for children to build patience, breathing, and control anxiety or depression,” she added.Suniel Shetty also acknowledged PM Modi’s role in uplifting yoga across the world. “By establishing Yoga Day, our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proved that yoga belongs to India,” he said.
Neil Nitin Mukesh highlights the benefits of mental health
Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh points out the importance of mental discipline and emotional balance. He said yoga helps individuals manage stress and improve concentration in daily life.“I believe that strength starts with yourself. If you believe in strength, then it is very important to be mentally fit, and it is very important to have discipline. Yoga teaches you that,” he told ANI.He added that yoga is especially helpful for young people who are dealing with fast-paced lifestyles and pressures.“Today, young people appear to be in a hurry to achieve something in life. Yoga helps to balance the pressure. It teaches us to concentrate on ourselves and control anxiety,” he said.Neil also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a source of inspiration. “Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I know a lot from him, and I admire him a lot,” he said.
Yoga day celebrations:
Filmmaker Anil Sharma also shared a short message on the occasion, urging people to consider yoga as a daily practice. “If you observe yoga day every day, then you will stay fit… My wishes for yoga day,” he said.The theme of the International Day of Yoga 2026, “Yoga for Healthy Aging”, highlights the role of yoga in supporting physical health, emotional strength, and active aging. The focus is on improving the overall quality of life through regular practice.Since 2015, when the United Nations General Assembly adopted India’s proposal to celebrate June 21 as International Yoga Day, the initiative has become a global movement. The Prime Minister has led celebrations from many locations over the years, including cities in India and abroad.This year, Yoga Day celebrations were organized in nearly 2,500 locations across the world, with participation from over 210 Indian Missions and Posts.