Alia Bhatt gifts motichoor laddoos to India's fastest sprinter Gurindervir Singh
Synopsis
Alia Bhatt's meeting with sprint record-holder Gurindervir Singh — who clocked a historic 10.09 seconds to become India's fastest man — produced one of the more genuine Bollywood-meets-sport moments in recent memory. The sprinter's story, rooted in a father's unfulfilled volleyball dream, adds real emotional weight to what could have been a routine film promotion.
Key Takeaways
Alia Bhatt met sprint sensation Gurindervir Singh on 22 June in a candid promotional exchange ahead of her film 'Alpha' .
Gurindervir Singh recently clocked 10.09 seconds to become the fastest Indian in history.
Gurindervir credited Usain Bolt's world record and his father's unfulfilled volleyball career as his primary inspirations.
Alia gifted him a box of motichoor laddoos ; Gurindervir reciprocated with a jersey. 'Alpha' , directed by Shiv Rawail , is the seventh instalment in the YRF Spy Universe and stars Alia, Sharvari , Anil Kapoor , Bobby Deol , and Hrithik Roshan in a cameo.
Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt, currently gearing up for her action film 'Alpha', sat down for a candid conversation with sprint sensation Gurindervir Singh — the man who recently became the fastest Indian in history with a 10.09-second sprint — and gifted him a box of motichoor laddoos in a warm, much-shared exchange on 22 June.
How the conversation unfolded
Alia opened by asking Gurindervir when he first decided to chase athletic glory. The sprinter traced his inspiration back to his father's sporting past, recalling how he would polish his father's trophies and medals as a child. 'Father ki trophies hoti thi, medals hote the, toh main usko saaf karta tha,' he said. 'Unki ek photo bhi thi, usmein woh jump kar rahe hai, volleyball khel rahe hain.'
He added that watching Usain Bolt's world record was the turning point that steered him toward athletics. His father cautioned him about the gruelling commitment required, to which Gurindervir recalled responding: 'Maine kahaan koi nahi, main ready hoon iske liye' — 'No problem, I'm ready for it.'
A father's unfulfilled dream, a son's record
The conversation turned poignant when Alia raised the subject of Gurindervir's father, who was forced to abandon a promising volleyball career due to injury. Gurindervir recalled his father's candid admission during quieter moments: 'Jab ek-do peg lagate the, toh bolte the ki agar main karta rehta game, toh shayad main aaj kuch aur hota' — 'If I had continued playing, maybe I would have been somewhere else in life today.'
That regret, Gurindervir said, became his own driving ambition. After crossing the finish line in his record-setting race, the first call he made was to his father. 'Daddy ab batao kaisa lag raha hai?' he told him. His father's reply: 'Kehre mazaa aa gaya' — 'It feels amazing.'
Laddoos, a jersey, and a film on the horizon
Alia capped the meeting by presenting Gurindervir with a box of motichoor laddoos. The sprinter said he intended to finish the entire box, and returned the gesture by gifting Alia a jersey. The exchange quickly gained traction as a feel-good moment bridging Bollywood and Indian athletics.
Alia's film 'Alpha', directed by Shiv Rawail, is the seventh instalment in the YRF Spy Universe. The cast includes Alia Bhatt, Sharvari, Anil Kapoor, and Bobby Deol, with Hrithik Roshan appearing in an extended cameo. The film's promotional campaign has leaned into grassroots Indian achievement, with Gurindervir's story fitting squarely into that narrative.
Point of View
But the sprinter's story deserves attention independent of any film cycle. India has chronically underinvested in track and field, and a 10.09-second national record tends to vanish from public discourse within days of being set. Using Bollywood's reach to spotlight an athlete of Gurindervir's calibre is a net positive — but the deeper question is whether institutional support follows the viral moment. A jersey-and-laddoo exchange is memorable; a funded training programme would be transformative.
NationPress
22 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Gurindervir Singh and what is his record?
Gurindervir Singh is an Indian sprinter who recently clocked 10.09 seconds to become the fastest Indian in history. The achievement made him a nationally recognised athletic figure almost overnight.
Why did Alia Bhatt meet Gurindervir Singh?
Alia Bhatt met Gurindervir Singh as part of the promotional activities for her upcoming film 'Alpha'. The meeting, which included Alia gifting the sprinter motichoor laddoos, was widely shared as a feel-good crossover between Bollywood and Indian athletics.
What did Gurindervir Singh say about his inspiration?
Gurindervir said he was inspired by his father's sporting past — he used to polish his father's volleyball trophies as a child — and by watching Usain Bolt's world record. His father's injury-forced retirement from volleyball became the dream Gurindervir channelled into sprinting.
What is the film 'Alpha' about and when does it release?
'Alpha' is the seventh instalment in the YRF Spy Universe, directed by Shiv Rawail. It stars Alia Bhatt, Sharvari, Anil Kapoor, and Bobby Deol, with Hrithik Roshan in an extended cameo. An official release date has not been specified in the available information.
What gifts were exchanged between Alia Bhatt and Gurindervir Singh?
Alia Bhatt gifted Gurindervir a box of motichoor laddoos. Gurindervir, who said he planned to eat the entire box, reciprocated by gifting Alia a jersey.
