As he grew up in Punjab, for Sonu Sood the idea of Ganesh Chaturthi and the celebrations that followed was limited to what he saw in Hindi films. Once in Mumbai, to chase his Bollywood dreams, the actor got a closer look at the festive celebrations, which drew him to immerse himself in the city’s culture and tradition. He was left mighty impressed as he visited pandals, especially Mumbai’s iconic Lalbaugcha Raja when he was new to Mumbai. Inspired by what he witnessed during the festivities in the city, Sonu then decided to get the whole experience closer to home. It’s been over two decades since he’s been doing Ganpati puja in his Mumbai house.

Recollecting how it all started, Sonu shares, “I remember Sonali (his wife) had just arrived from Punjab. We were staying at a rented apartment in Mumbai back then. We wished to get Bappa home as we wanted to immerse ourselves in the city’s festive spirit.”

Sonu continues, “So, I went on a motorbike to Vile Parle railway station and got home a small murti. It was around eight-inches tall, and Sonali then told me that we should get a bigger idol. Since then, we have been getting a four-foot-tall idol. I remember at midnight we were looking for some accessories to decorate and set up our home for the puja. During our early years, we were not aware of the kind of rituals we needed to perform as we had only seen Ganpati celebrations in films and Bollywood songs. Slowly, over the years, we learnt it all. It’s been 22 years since we have been bringing Bappa home.”

The Soods have the celebrations in their home for five days. “We have guests coming over for darshan. My friends from my struggling days and my former roommates visit us every year. We don’t have to send them an official invite as they were a part of the process right from the day we started getting Lord Ganesha home. We do aarti every day, deck up the house, put fresh flowers every morning and cook traditional food. In fact, I have tried making modaks, but failed miserably. Last year, they turned out slightly better, so I will try making them this year, too. We also make prasad at home. During these five days, it feels so good every time you wake up in the morning and see Bappa at home. My sons are also excited, and their friends visit our home, too,” says the actor.

Since the Coronavirus pandemic, Sonu has turned into a Covid Warrior, helping migrants reach home safely during the lockdown, providing kits to those in need of essentials like rice, dal, milk, etc., and lend a helping hand to those who needed medicines or hospital beds during the pandemic. “I will pray to Bappa that he gives me strength to come to their aid. I will be distributing prasad to the people who gather outside my building every day to seek help. I will also get a few of them to my house for Bappa’s darshan. From the day I got Bappa home, I have felt his guiding force that helped me sail through my life, career, pandemic and every other challenge that I have faced. This year I am going to thank him for whatever he taught me in the last one-and-a-half years. It was through his blessings that I could connect with so many people from the country and was able to help them.” 

The actor talks to BT about what motivated him to reach out to the migrant workers who are stuck in Mumbai, and how their plight reminded him of his struggling days
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; May 28, 2020)

Over the past few weeks, Sonu Sood has been in the news for being a saviour of migrant workers, who are stuck in Mumbai amidst the Coronavirus lockdown. The actor, with the help of his friends Neeti Goel, Pankaj Jalisatgi and Harsh Sikariya, has been arranging buses to help them return home.

He says, “I went all out to help these migrants because I was a migrant, too, who came to Mumbai with a lot of dreams. When I saw photographs of their sufferings and read heart-wrenching stories of how they are walking thousands of kilometres without food and water, it reminded me of my early days. I first came to Mumbai by train, without a reserved ticket. I stood by the door and slept in the space next to the washroom. I know what struggle is.”

So far, Sonu and his team have managed to send buses to Karnataka, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. His wife Sonali and sons Eshaan and Ayaan, too, have joined him in his endeavour. “We recently started a helpline, on which we have been receiving calls from distressed migrants. When I get a call, my wife notes it down and the kids make a list of who will go in which bus,” says the actor, who also looks into the paperwork for the travel, including medical test reports.

His friends from the film industry are also supporting him wholeheartedly. “Rohit Shetty and Tabu are in touch with me. Farah Khan calls me everyday to check if I need any help. She also volunteered to offer drinking water to these migrants,” says Sonu, who often ends up working 22 hours a day, to get everything organised.

“I am also looking at sending migrants home to Telangana, but the state is not accepting people from Maharashtra as of now. So, I will wait. I intend to work till the last migrant reaches his hometown,” he signs off.

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 27, 2015)

It's been more than a month since Sonu Sood started shooting with Hollywood star Jackie Chan for Stanley Tong's Kung Fu Yoga in Dubai. Mirror has now learnt that the two action heroes have hit it off so well, they are bonding even off the sets. Jackie recently took Sonu, his wife Sonali and sons Ayaan and Ishant, out for dinner last Friday, along with the film's cast and crew.

"He is a fantastic host. I have always admired his work and it's great to share screen space with him. He is one of the most grounded stars I have ever met," Sonu says, adding that his wife and kids came down to visit him since he'd been away shooting round the clock and was missing them. "They were elated to meet Jackie. He was personally going to each table to make sure that everyone was comfortable," the actor recalls.

The dinner took place at a plush Dubai restaurant with lip-smacking Chinese cuisine on the menu. "We had a superb time. Jackie loves Indian food and I have promised to treat him to some Indian delicacies whenever he is in the country next," states the 42-year-old actor, adding that he grew up watching Jackie's films, especially the Police Story series, Rumble in the Bronx and Snake in the Eagle's Shadow. The actor returns to Mumbai next week.