Sonu Sood embraces Mumbai's first rain, urges fans to relive childhood
Synopsis
Sonu Sood didn't just welcome Mumbai's monsoon — he turned it into a moment of collective nostalgia. Filming himself in the first downpour of the season as the IMD issued a red alert for the city, the actor challenged fans across India to drop their adult hesitations and step out into the rain, the way they once did without a second thought.
Key Takeaways
Sonu Sood posted an Instagram video on 24 June welcoming Mumbai's first monsoon rain of the season.
He urged fans across India to 'reconnect with childhood' by stepping out in the rain.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Mumbai and Palghar on the same day.
Sood captioned the clip: 'The rain returns.
So do the memories.' Days earlier, he had shared a similar nostalgia-driven post about riding the Vande Bharat Express .
Actor Sonu Sood stepped out into Mumbai's first rainfall of the monsoon season on 24 June, sharing a heartfelt video on Instagram that resonated with millions who grew up chasing puddles and paper boats. The clip, which the actor captioned 'The rain returns. So do the memories,' quickly drew attention for its unscripted warmth.
What Sood Said
Speaking directly into a microphone as rain fell around him, Sood reflected on the uninhibited joy of childhood monsoons. 'Today, the first rain of Mumbai has started, and it's beautiful. When we were kids, we used to go out in the rain. We never used to think about it. We used to have all the fun. But when we started growing up, we used to think about it. Why did we go out in the rain when we were kids? We used to keep thinking about it,' he said.
He then issued a gentle challenge to his followers: 'I think it's very important to reconnect with your childhood. If you don't go out in the rain in Mumbai, then what's the point of living in Mumbai? So, if you're living in Mumbai or any corner of the country, and you want to live your childhood again, then go out in the rain. And may this monsoon bring lots of luck, health, happiness to all of you. And have a great monsoon hit. Enjoy the rain at midnight.'
Mumbai's Monsoon Arrival
Sood's impromptu video coincided with a significant weather event. On 24 June, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Mumbai and the neighbouring Palghar district as heavy rainfall lashed the city. The monsoon's arrival in Mumbai typically marks the start of a months-long season that shapes daily life across the Maharashtra coast.
A Pattern of Nostalgia
This is not the first time Sood has publicly drawn on personal memories to connect with his audience. Just days before the rain video, the 'Dabangg' and 'Simmba' actor shared his experience aboard the Vande Bharat Express, saying the journey evoked memories of his early struggling days in the film industry. He wrote on social media: 'Thank you, Indian Railways, for upgrading the everyday journey and quality of life of millions of common Indians.' The two posts together paint a picture of an actor who has leaned into relatability as a core part of his public identity — a trait that has defined his off-screen persona as much as his roles.
Why It Resonates
Sood's monsoon message taps into a near-universal sentiment across India, where the first rain after a punishing summer carries emotional weight well beyond meteorology. His appeal to 'reconnect with your inner child' arrives at a moment when urban life — particularly in a city as relentless as Mumbai — is frequently cited as a source of stress and disconnection. The video's simplicity, filmed outdoors with minimal production, amplifies rather than undercuts that message.
Point of View
But it reflects a deliberate off-screen strategy. Since his pandemic-era relief work, Sood has cultivated an everyman image that few Bollywood actors of his profile have managed to sustain. The Vande Bharat post and the rain video, both rooted in personal memory and public service framing, reinforce that persona consistently. In an industry where relatability is often manufactured, Sood's approach — low production, direct address, emotional anchoring — is worth noting for what it says about how celebrity influence is being rebuilt in post-pandemic India.
NationPress
24 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Sonu Sood post about Mumbai's first rain?
Sonu Sood posted an Instagram video on 24 June showing himself standing in Mumbai's first monsoon rain, urging fans to step outside and relive their childhood. He captioned the clip 'The rain returns. So do the memories.'
Was there a weather alert in Mumbai on 24 June?
Yes. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Mumbai and the neighbouring Palghar district on 24 June as heavy rainfall hit the city. A red alert signals extremely heavy rainfall requiring heightened precaution.
What did Sonu Sood say in the rain video?
Sood said that reconnecting with childhood is important, and that stepping out in Mumbai's rain is one way to do it. He wished his followers 'lots of luck, health, happiness' for the monsoon season and encouraged them to 'enjoy the rain at midnight.'
What else has Sonu Sood shared recently?
A few days before the rain video, Sood shared his experience riding the Vande Bharat Express, saying it brought back memories of his early struggling days. He praised Indian Railways for improving the quality of life for 'millions of common Indians.'
Which films is Sonu Sood known for?
Sonu Sood is widely recognised for his roles in 'Dabangg' and 'Simmba', among other Hindi films. He gained significant public attention during the COVID-19 pandemic for his humanitarian work helping migrant workers return home.
