Ahead of International Yoga Day, ACP Pradyuman aka Shivaji Satam, credits Pranayama for quitting chain smoking and transforming his life

Renowned actor Shivaji Satam, beloved for his iconic portrayal of ACP Pradyuman in the popular TV series CID, recently shared a deeply personal account of his journey from being a heavy smoker to embracing a healthier lifestyle through Pranayama. His testimonial was featured in a video posted by the Ministry of AYUSH on their X (formerly Twitter) handle, highlighting the transformative power of yoga.


Satam candidly spoke about his past struggle: "There was a time when I used to smoke 35 to 40 cigarettes a day. I felt very bad about it. What could I do? But one day, it reached a point where my breathing started to suffer. I couldn't even work properly."

A turning point came when a friend suggested he try Pranayama yoga. "Then I started doing yoga," Satam recalled. "In two to two-and-a-half years, I've seen a vast change in my breathing. I feel a lot better. Sometimes, with my friends, I even play cricket, go for walks, and then head to shooting. Yoga has become a very important part of my daily routine."

A global movement: International Yoga Day

Satam also acknowledged the significant role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in popularizing yoga globally. "Ten years ago, our dear Prime Minister Narendra Modi started Yoga Divas [International Yoga Day], which has become a global movement," he stated.

Join the Yoga Sangam on June 21st

Looking ahead to the upcoming International Yoga Day on June 21st, Satam encouraged widespread participation in the Ministry of AYUSH's 'Yoga Sangam' initiative. "This time, the AYUSH Ministry is bringing 'Yoga Sangam' on June 21st. The entire country is going to join this 'Yoga Sangam.' I also want us all to participate in this. Wherever we live, whether it's a society, school, or college, we should form teams to participate in the 'Yoga Sangam.'"

Concluding his powerful message, Shivaji Satam emphasized, "Yoga doesn’t just transform the body — it transforms life itself." His story serves as an inspiring testament to the profound benefits of yoga and Pranayama in overcoming challenges and fostering overall well-being.