Actor Mukesh Khanna has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the latter completes 25 years in public office, recounting a personal memory from the devastating 2001 Bhuj earthquake that first brought the two together. The milestone marks 7 October 2026 as the anniversary of Modi's appointment as Gujarat Chief Minister on 7 October 2001, a tenure that preceded his ascent to the Prime Ministership in 2014.

Khanna's Memory from Bhuj

Speaking in a recent interview, Khanna recalled how Modi — then not yet Chief Minister — personally reached out to him in the immediate aftermath of the Bhuj quake. 'PM Modi called me during the Bhuj earthquake, when he was not even the Chief Minister,' Khanna said. 'A year later, he became Chief Minister, and I went to Bhuj in my Shaktimaan costume to tell the children, 'You will not be afraid'.'

Khanna, best known for playing the iconic superhero Shaktimaan on Indian television, said the visit left a lasting impression on him. 'I have known him since that day. I can say only one thing about him — no one else can think the way he does, and there is no alternative to him. But I feel PM Modi and Amit Shah have a lot more to do for the nation,' he added.

Actress Upasana Singh Joins the Praise

Comedian and actress Upasana Singh also weighed in, saying she began voting specifically to support Modi. 'He has many fans, I am not the only one, but I think we are very fortunate that Narendra Modi ji is our Prime Minister,' she said. She added that she had never voted before Modi came to power and described his energy and work ethic as an inspiration. 'The energy he has, even at this age, the work he does, and his capabilities remind me of the thought that living for oneself is an ordinary story, but living for others is what life is all about,' Singh said.

25 Years in Office: A Milestone in Indian Politics

Modi's 25-year journey in elected governance began on 7 October 2001 with his appointment as Chief Minister of Gujarat, a post he held until 2014. His Gujarat tenure was characterised by a focus on infrastructure development, industrial growth, agricultural reform, and administrative efficiency.

As Prime Minister since May 2014, his national leadership has been defined by a wide range of initiatives — from the rollout of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and expansion of direct-benefit transfer schemes to large-scale investment in physical and digital infrastructure. Flagship welfare programmes in housing, sanitation, electricity access, healthcare, and financial inclusion have formed the social backbone of his governance record.

Notably, earlier this year Modi surpassed Jawaharlal Nehru's record to become India's longest continuously serving elected Prime Minister — a landmark that further underscores the historic scale of the milestone being marked this week.

Significance of the Anniversary

The outpouring of appreciation from public figures like Khanna and Singh reflects broader conversations about Modi's political legacy at this juncture. This comes amid an active policy calendar and ongoing national and international commitments, as his administration continues work across multiple sectors. How India's political and economic narrative evolves over the next phase of his tenure will likely shape assessments of this 25-year arc for years to come.