The India Story: Kajal Aggarwal and Shreyas Talpade Call for Greater Food Safety Awareness
Photography-Shazid Chauhan
By Seema Dhawan
What if the greatest threat to our health isn’t hidden in distant places but quietly finds its way onto our dining tables every day?
That thought lingered long after the cast and makers of The India Story concluded their media interaction in New Delhi on Saturday. Instead of centring the conversation on celebrity glamour or box-office expectations, the team chose to address an issue that affects every family—food safety, excessive pesticide use, and the growing need to become conscious consumers.
Actors Shreyas Talpade and Kajal Aggarwal, along with director Chetan D.K., spoke candidly about the six-year journey of making the film and the emotional impact of researching a subject that touches every household.
A Film That Blends Information with Entertainment
Shreyas Talpade described The India Story as “infotainment”—a film designed to entertain while educating audiences about issues that often go unnoticed in everyday life.
“We often say we should return to organic farming, but in reality we need to go back to our original way of farming, and that cannot happen overnight. It will take at least five to six years,” he said.
Kajal explained that years of excessive pesticide use have affected not only crops but also the land itself, making the transition back to natural farming a long and challenging process.
“Going back to our roots, where everything was pure, is extremely difficult today. We cannot completely eradicate chemicals from our lives, but we can certainly minimise them.” Kajal urged that we all need to become more responsible about the food we buy.
“We should be conscious about what we bring into our kitchens and what we are feeding our children. We should know where our produce comes from and verify the source. Instant deliveries may be convenient, but if we don’t know the origin of the food, that’s very scary. We have to be extremely careful.”
Director Chetan D.K.: ‘We Also Try to Provide Solutions’
Director Chetan D.K. said the film was inspired by real concerns affecting millions of people and stressed that its purpose is not to create panic but to encourage awareness.
Referring to recent reports of suspected food contamination, he said, “We recently heard about deaths linked to watermelons that were allegedly injected with harmful substances. Incidents like these show why this issue deserves national attention.”
He added that the film goes beyond highlighting the problem.
“We have tried to provide solutions through this story. This is a national-level issue, and meaningful change will take time.”
A Story That Every Parent Will Feel
For Shreyas Talpade, the emotional strength of The India Story lies in its connection with families.
“Anything that happens to your child is deeply emotional and disturbing. There are many scenes in this film that will move audiences. Every parent will relate to them. Subjects like this need to be told.”
Kajal Aggarwal agreed, saying motherhood has made her far more conscious about food and health.
“As parents, we become much more sensitive. I have become very conscious about what my child eats and the choices I make every day.”
Reflecting on the six-year journey of making the film, she revealed that several moments during production were emotionally overwhelming.
“There were times when the three of us were crying. Many moments touched us deeply because we realised how closely this issue affects our own lives.”
More Than a Film
Throughout the interaction, the cast and director repeatedly emphasised that The India Story is not intended to spread fear but to inspire awareness and informed choices. They hope audiences leave theatres asking important questions about the food they consume, where it comes from, and how it reaches their families.
Scheduled for a nationwide theatrical release on July 24, 2026, The India Story will be released in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, carrying its message on food safety and consumer awareness to audiences across India.
