By Nikita Ghag
Actress | Animal Activist | Founder, DAWA India | BJP Maharashtra – Chitrapat Kamgar Aghadi
Let me start with something I say proudly, out loud, and without hesitation:
I am a Sanatani.
I respect all religions. I truly do. But Sanatan Dharma is my root. It’s in my blood. It’s the lens through which I see the world, make decisions, and even breathe.
Some people think being religious means you’re outdated. They think spirituality means sitting in a corner and chanting all day. That’s not what Sanatan Dharma means to me. It’s not about rituals for rituals’ sake. It’s about how you live.
Dharma isn’t a word. It’s a way of life
When I was 21, I started DAWA India — an animal welfare NGO that rescues and rehabilitates stray dogs across Maharashtra. People asked me why I was doing this. Why would an actress, a young woman, spend her time and money on street dogs?
My answer was simple: because it’s my dharma.
Sanatan Dharma taught me that duty isn’t optional. It’s not about what you gain. It’s about what you give. The Bhagavad Gita says do your karma without attachment to the result. That’s what I try to live every single day — whether I’m on a film set, in a political meeting, or feeding a stray dog on Marine Drive.
Seeing God in every soul
I often say, “Seeing God in every soul is the purest form of Bhakti.”
That’s not just a quote I post on Instagram. It’s what I live by. When I look at a stray dog shivering in the rain, I don’t see an animal. I see a living being with a soul. I see God.
Ahimsa — non-harm — isn’t just about not hurting others. It’s about actively reducing suffering wherever you can. For me, that’s why animal welfare isn’t a side project. It’s central to who I am.
I speak up. Even when it’s uncomfortable
Sanatan Dharma values truth. Satya. And truth isn’t always comfortable.
I’ve called out the entertainment industry for promoting sensationalism over talent. I’ve exposed fake awards at film festivals. I’ve spoken against shows that exploit people for views. Some people didn’t like it. But dharma doesn’t ask you to be popular. It asks you to be right.
My book, Roar Like A Lioness, isn’t just about confidence. It’s about roaring for what’s right — even when everyone else is silent.
Proudly Sanatani. Respectfully human.
Here’s something I want to say clearly: I am proud to be a Sanatani. I say it on Instagram. I say it in interviews. I say it without apology.
But Sanatan Dharma also teaches us to respect all paths. I respect all religions. What I don’t accept is when young Sanatanis are made to feel ashamed of their roots.
There’s a quiet war being waged against Sanatan civilization. People want our youth to feel embarrassed about their culture, their texts, their gods. But I say: Let them grow with the Bhagavad Gita. Let them feel the depth of Sanatan Dharma.
My rituals keep me grounded
I’m not going to lie — my life is chaotic. Shoots lasting 16 hours. Political meetings. Rescue missions. Press conferences. Animal emergencies at 2 AM.
Through all of it, a few things keep me steady:
- Morning puja, even if it’s just 10 minutes
- Lighting a diya at dusk
- Chanting a few mantras before stepping out
- Taking a moment to pause and breathe
These aren’t superstitions. They’re anchors. They remind me where I come from. They remind me why I serve.
Purpose isn’t found. It’s lived
People ask me, “Nikita, what’s your purpose?”
I don’t think purpose is something you find like a treasure chest. I think purpose is something you live — every day, through your actions.
My purpose isn’t just to act in films. It’s to protect the voiceless. To stand with workers in the entertainment industry. To empower young women. To fight for fairness. To make sure Sanatan values don’t die out.
To every young Sanatani reading this
If you’re young, confused, or feeling pressured to hide your identity — don’t.
Be proud. Read the Gita. Learn your scriptures. Ask questions. Practice seva. And never let anyone make you feel small for being who you are.
You can be modern and Sanatani. You can be global and rooted. You can wear jeans and chant mantras. You can be a CEO and feed stray dogs.
I am proof.
Being a Sanatani isn’t about being stuck in the past. It’s about carrying timeless values into the future. It’s about living with integrity, serving without expecting anything back, and seeing divinity in every soul.
It’s my identity. My ethic. My purpose.
I am a Sanatani. And I am proud.