Sonu Sood thanks Indian Railways for Vande Bharat, recalls his struggling days
Mumbai, June 13
Actor Sonu Sood recently took a ride on the Vande Bharat Express and shared how the experience brought back memories of his early struggling days.
The actor recalled a time when train journeys were far from comfortable, often traveling without reservation while pursuing his dream of becoming an actor in Mumbai. Praising the remarkable improvements in Indian Railways, Sonu said the journey reflected the country's progress while also reminding him of how far he has come in his own life. Taking to Instagram, the 'Dabangg' actor shared his video and wrote, "Thank you, Indian Railways, for upgrading the everyday journey and quality of life of millions of common Indians."
In the clip, he could be heard saying, "We are travelling by Vande Bharat and all I can say is, it's a phenomenal growth in terms of railways and the kind of quality, the kind of food that's been served, the staff, the kind of love that they give. This train journey reminded me of my first journey. I studied in Nagpur and left for Mumbai to become an actor."
"Maximum time reservation was not there. So, just like that, we used to get long folded computer papers, then at night, we used to sleep on the newspaper and pass the time. But today, after so many years, when we are travelling by train again, all I can say is that Indian railways have grown up leaps and bounds in terms of quality, it's amazing. I don't think we need to sleep on the newspaper near the toilet because, you know, it's very, very organised now. Just want to thank you for the great work that you've been doing. Keep doing such amazing work. All this is very important for the development of our country. All the best," added Sonu.
A few days ago, Raveena Tandon skipped a flight and travelled on the Vande Bharat Express instead, praising the government's "Make in India" initiative. She expressed pride in India's modern railway infrastructure. She also tagged Railway Minister, the Ministry of Railways, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to show her appreciation.
For the caption, Raveena wrote, "AALL IN A DAYS WORK!!!!! #hanumanjichalisa Mode on! Early mornings are lit! So proud of our #vandebharattrains And living the #makeinindia experience! Just fabulous ! @ashwini.vaishnaw ji @railminindia Shri @narendramodi ji."
— IANS
Reader Comments
I'm happy that our celebrities are appreciating Indian Railways' progress instead of just complaining. Sonu Sood's journey from a struggling boy to a star who helps the needy is inspiring. But honestly, while Vande Bharat is premium, the common man's experience in sleeper class hasn't changed much. The trains are still overcrowded, toilets are dirty, and food quality varies. Let's celebrate the progress but also demand better for the average passenger.
Itna sach bolne ke liye Sonu Sood ka shukriya! 👏 He is one of the few celebrities who actually understands the pain of common people. His COVID-19 relief work and now this genuine appreciation for railways—this man is a gem. But I wish the government also focuses on improving the condition of local trains in Mumbai. Lakhs of people travel daily in those trains like sardines.
As someone who visited India recently, I can see the transformation in railways. The Vande Bharat is world-class—clean, fast, and comfortable. Sonu's story resonates with anyone who has taken unreserved trains in India. The progress is real, but I hope the maintenance standards remain high. Kudos to Indian Railways for this upgrade!
I traveled in Vande Bharat last month and it's indeed a different experience altogether. But the problem is that only a few such trains are operational. The majority of trains still run on outdated infrastructure. Sonu Sood's journey from sleeping on newspaper near toilet to traveling in Vande Bharat mirrors our country's journey—some progress, but a long way to go. Good initiative by celebrities to boost morale of railway staff. 😊
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