Rajkumar Santoshi wishes PM Modi on birthday: 'May he live 100+ years'
Synopsis
On PM Modi's birthday, National Award-winning filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi prayed for the Prime Minister to live beyond 100 years and continue leading India — while the BJP simultaneously launched the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' to mark 25 years of Modi's public service, a campaign set to run through October.
Key Takeaways
Filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi extended birthday wishes to PM Narendra Modi on 17 September , praying for him to live a 'long and healthy life' beyond 100 years .
The BJP launched ' Seva Sankalp Abhiyan ' on Modi's birthday to mark 25 years of his public service.
BJP National President Nitin Nabin announced on 9 September that Modi completes 25 years of public service on 7 October .
The month-long campaign will include public outreach and service programmes across India through October .
Santoshi, known for directing the 1990 blockbuster Ghayal , is a multiple National Award winner.
National Award-winning filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi extended heartfelt birthday greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 17 September, praying for his long and healthy life and expressing hope that the Prime Minister continues to lead India in the years ahead. Modi, who turns 75 today, received wishes from across the film fraternity and political circles alike.
What Santoshi Said
Speaking to reporters, Santoshi offered a warm tribute to the Prime Minister. 'I would like to wish him many, many happy returns of the day to our most beloved Prime Minister, Modi Ji. He is doing a lot of service to the country. I want to pray from the bottom of my heart that he lives a long and healthy life,' the filmmaker said.
He added: 'May he continue to lead us in the same way he has guided us till now... More than 100 years, he should live strong, healthy, and serve the nation the way he has served till now.'
BJP Marks Occasion With 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan'
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is using the occasion to launch its 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' — a month-long, nationwide campaign to mark 25 years of PM Modi's public service. BJP National President Nitin Nabin, addressing a press conference at the party headquarters on 9 September, had announced that Modi will complete 25 years of uninterrupted public service on 7 October. The campaign is expected to encompass a wide range of public outreach and service-oriented programmes across the country during the month.
About Rajkumar Santoshi
Santoshi made his directorial debut with the action drama Ghayal in 1990, starring Sunny Deol, Meenakshi Sheshadri, and Amrish Puri. The film was both a critical and commercial blockbuster, establishing Santoshi as a prominent name in Hindi cinema. He has since won multiple National Awards for his body of work.
The Broader Context
Modi's birthday has in recent years become a focal point for the BJP's outreach machinery, with the party typically aligning welfare and public service drives around the date. This year's campaign is notably larger in scope, given the milestone of two-and-a-half decades of public service. The Seva Sankalp Abhiyan is set to run through October, culminating around the 7 October anniversary date.
Point of View
But as an organisational mobilisation moment ahead of a politically active autumn. Whether the campaign translates into tangible public engagement or remains a messaging exercise is worth watching.
NationPress
17 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Rajkumar Santoshi say about PM Modi on his birthday?
Santoshi wished PM Modi 'many, many happy returns of the day,' praying for him to live a long, healthy life of more than 100 years and to continue serving the nation as he has done so far.
When is PM Modi's birthday?
PM Narendra Modi's birthday is on 17 September. He is celebrating his birthday in 2026 with BJP launching the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' nationwide campaign in his honour.
What is the BJP's 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan'?
'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' is a month-long nationwide campaign launched by the BJP to mark PM Modi's 25 years of public service, which completes on 7 October. The campaign includes public outreach and service-oriented programmes across India.
When does PM Modi complete 25 years of public service?
PM Modi completes 25 years of uninterrupted public service on 7 October, as announced by BJP National President Nitin Nabin at the party headquarters on 9 September.
Who is Rajkumar Santoshi?
Rajkumar Santoshi is a National Award-winning Indian filmmaker best known for directing the 1990 blockbuster Ghayal, starring Sunny Deol, Meenakshi Sheshadri, and Amrish Puri. He is regarded as one of Hindi cinema's prominent directors.
