Shreyas Talpade has always been known for bringing warmth and humour to the screen, but with his upcoming film The India Story, the actor is taking on a subject that he believes demands seriousness and awareness. During a recent media interaction, Shreyas opened up about the film's message, the challenges surrounding agriculture and food safety, and why collective responsibility is necessary for a healthier future.
In The India Story, Shreyas plays Yogesh Patil in a socio-political courtroom drama that explores issues affecting society. While discussing the film, the actor spoke about the complicated relationship between agricultural production, fertilizers, pesticides, and public health.
When asked about the dilemma farmers face between increasing production and reducing chemical usage, Shreyas acknowledged the complexity of the issue but questioned the long-term impact on human health. "It is something that acts as a poison but is simultaneously a necessity. You are getting food to eat, but if that food contains poison, what is the point of consuming it? It is better to eat less or avoid it altogether," Shreyas said.
The actor clarified that his concerns extend beyond fertilizers and include the use of pesticides and other chemicals. "My take on this is that it isn't just about fertilizers; pesticides sprayed on vegetables—or other crops—often stick in such a way that washing or boiling doesn't remove them, which is a cause for concern," he explained.
Shreyas pointed out that increasing demand has changed agricultural practices over time. "The quantity used gradually increased beyond the initial limits because, naturally, as demand rose, the supply had to increase as well. Everyone argues that without using these inputs, the yield won't be sufficient—the crop won't grow properly. But if the crop introduces poison into your system, what is the use of having that harvest?"
He further added, "It seems to me—look at the number of hotels today compared to ten years ago; do we really need that many? Technically, the food available today is more than enough for everyone. But what is the point of eating if that food is laced with poison? It is better to eat less—to consume limited quantities—but ensure that what we do eat is wholesome and pure."
The actor also questioned why certain substances restricted in other countries continue to be allowed in India. "There are actually many things banned in other countries that are still permitted here. I think we need to address this: why are they banned elsewhere, and why are they allowed here?"
According to Shreyas, the biggest concern is how society has gradually accepted health crises as normal. "We’ve crossed them to such an extent that it has become part of the system—our 'new normal.' We’ve all accepted it. How? We hear about someone's uncle or son getting cancer, and we’ve come to accept it as normal. Why? When did this happen?"
The actor believes that responsibility does not belong only to governments or organisations but also to citizens. "I’m not trying to say that the government......or look at other companies—after all, we are equally responsible. We aren't asking questions; why aren't we? We just keep consuming—but why? So, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that we leave something decent behind for future generations."
Reflecting on his own experience while shooting the film, Shreyas revealed that the reality behind the subject deeply affected him. "When I first heard about it, I thought, 'Yeah, okay—food adulteration, pesticides, farming issues, and so on.' But when I saw the actual figures and realized what was happening because of this, it was deeply disturbing."
He added, "During the hospital sequence we were shooting—given the atmosphere there—I asked, 'Is it really like this? Does it actually happen?' They told me, 'Sir, just visit that hospital once; go see for yourself, and you'll understand the reality.' For those suffering, this is certainly no laughing matter; there are so many families enduring hardship because of this. So, it is high time we took this seriously."
Directed by Chettan DK and produced-written by Sagar B. Shinde, The India Story arrives in cinemas on July 24, 2026. The film also stars Kajal Aggarwal, Manish Wadhwa, Murali Sharma, and Trisha Sarda, and will release globally in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.