As India celebrates another year of freedom, we posed a question to celebrities: What does Independence mean to you? The responses were powerful, personal, and deeply introspective. From finding freedom in discipline and shedding ego, to owning one’s identity without apology, stars like Adah Sharma, Akshay Oberoi, Poonam Pandey, Sudhanshu Pandey, and Krystle D’Souza shared how independence resonates in their lives. Their thoughts go beyond patriotism, diving into emotional, mental, and spiritual liberation. Read on as they open up about what freedom truly means to them in today’s world—raw, honest, and unapologetically real.
Adah Sharma
“I used to think freedom meant doing whatever I felt like… then I realised that it left me feeling never entirely fulfilled. Turns out, doing what I should do—even when I didn’t feel like it—made me happier and freer. Who knew discipline was such a plot twist? Discipline is freedom; it's the real high. Responsibility is the new rebellion. Joy just shows up uninvited.”
Akshay Oberoi |
Akshay Oberoi
“Independence, to me, means freedom from a polluted mind and thoughts. As human beings, we struggle with so much noise — one person tells you one thing, another says something else. True freedom is having the confidence and self-belief to trust yourself and your own gut. That, to me, is real independence.”
Poonam Pandey |
Poonam Pandey
“Freedom is about embracing life without apology, owning every choice I make, and living on my own terms. Whether I am wearing nothing or draped in everything, it’s about knowing that my worth isn’t defined by appearances. True freedom is the power to decide for myself, without the weight of others’ expectations or the fear of being judged. It is self-expression without limits, confidence without compromise, and the courage to be exactly who I am.”
Sudhanshu Pandey |
Sudhanshu Pandey
“Freedom, for me, goes beyond the physical! It is the release from the ego that blinds us, the liberation from negativity that weighs us down, and the ability to exist in harmony with the truth. True freedom is an inner state where we are no longer bound by false pride or toxic thoughts, where our mind and heart are open, and where we can live authentically, embracing peace, honesty, and compassion in every moment.”
Krystle D’Souza |
Krystle D’Souza
“Freedom to me means living life with confidence and pride walking with my head held high, carrying a passionate heart, and never feeling the need to apologize for being my authentic self. It’s about embracing my true identity and expressing myself openly without fear or hesitation. True freedom allows me to make my own choices, follow my dreams, and stand tall even in the face of challenges. It means having the courage to be different, to speak my mind, and to live a life that is genuine and unapologetically mine.”
