Shahid Kapoor on Yoga Day: 'It aligns mind, body, and soul'
Synopsis
At Mumbai's International Yoga Day celebrations, Shahid Kapoor made the case for yoga as a civilisational inheritance — not a fitness trend. With Akshay Kumar performing asanas alongside a Union Minister and the entire film industry posting on social media, Bollywood's embrace of 21 June has become a soft-power statement in its own right.
Key Takeaways
Shahid Kapoor attended International Yoga Day celebrations in Mumbai on 21 June , calling yoga a practice that aligns ‘mind, body, and soul.’ He described yoga as rooted in India’s cultural heritage , passed down through generations.
Akshay Kumar performed yoga asanas at the event alongside Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya .
Multiple Bollywood celebrities shared yoga practice videos on social media to mark the occasion.
Kapoor’s film Cocktail 2 , co-starring Rashmika Mandanna and Kriti Sanon , released in cinemas on 19 June .
Actor Shahid Kapoor on 21 June spoke about the deep cultural roots of Yoga at an International Yoga Day event in Mumbai, calling it far more than a fitness routine and describing it as an ancient practice that connects the mind, body, and soul. His remarks came as Bollywood turned out in numbers to mark the global observance.
What Shahid Said
Addressing the media at the event, Kapoor reflected on Yoga's place in India's civilisational heritage. “It’s a very good initiative, and a lot of kids have come. I think yoga is something that comes from our heritage, our culture. I have done yoga many times, and I feel that yoga is something which is mind, body, and soul,” he said.
He added: “There are very few things where you can align all three together. You can be a healthier version of yourself, you can be more flexible, and you can be stronger. Your internal organs can be healthier.”
Celebrities and Officials at the Mumbai Celebration
The Mumbai event drew a prominent turnout from the film industry. Actor Akshay Kumar actively participated, performing various yoga asanas alongside Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and other attendees. Across the industry, several Bollywood stars took to social media to post images and videos of their yoga practice, encouraging followers to embrace the discipline for physical fitness, mental peace, and overall well-being.
Yoga as Cultural Heritage
Kapoor’s emphasis on Yoga as cultural inheritance rather than mere exercise reflects a broader national conversation. International Yoga Day, observed every year on 21 June, was instituted by the United Nations in 2015 following a proposal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A decade on, it continues to draw participation from millions across India and abroad, with the practice increasingly recognised as a soft-power emblem of Indian civilisation.
Shahid Kapoor's Work Front
On the professional side, Kapoor was recently seen in Cocktail 2, directed by Homi Adajania and co-starring Rashmika Mandanna and Kriti Sanon. The film released in cinemas on 19 June. Kapoor had earlier described it as “what summer feels like”, adding: “It has madness, emotion, humor, romance, and a lot of heart. It’s the kind of film you want to experience with your friends.”
With International Yoga Day 2025 celebrations wrapping up, attention will now turn to how the government and the film fraternity sustain the momentum around yoga adoption through the rest of the year.
Point of View
Or remains a metropolitan, middle-class ritual dressed in heritage language.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Shahid Kapoor say about yoga on International Yoga Day 2025?
Shahid Kapoor said yoga is rooted in India’s cultural heritage and is unique in its ability to align the mind, body, and soul simultaneously. He spoke at an International Yoga Day event in Mumbai on 21 June, describing yoga as a practice that improves flexibility, strength, and the health of internal organs.
Who else attended the International Yoga Day event in Mumbai?
Actor Akshay Kumar attended and actively performed various yoga asanas at the Mumbai event. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also participated alongside Akshay Kumar and other attendees.
When is International Yoga Day and why is it observed?
International Yoga Day is observed every year on 21 June. It was instituted by the United Nations in 2015 following a proposal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recognising yoga as a universal practice with roots in Indian civilisation.
What is Shahid Kapoor's latest film?
Shahid Kapoor was recently seen in Cocktail 2, directed by Homi Adajania and co-starring Rashmika Mandanna and Kriti Sanon. The film released in cinemas on 19 June.
How did Bollywood mark International Yoga Day 2025?
Several Bollywood celebrities posted images and videos of their yoga practice on social media on 21 June, encouraging fans to adopt yoga for physical fitness, mental peace, and overall well-being. Prominent attendees at Mumbai’s celebration included Shahid Kapoor and Akshay Kumar.
