Mumbai: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) marked its 100th anniversary with a two-day centenary celebration that drew the presence of several prominent Bollywood actors, filmmakers and industry figures, reflecting a rare coming together of cinema personalities at a socio-cultural event. The programme, held on February 7 and 8, 2026, featured lectures, cultural sessions and addresses by senior RSS functionaries, including RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
Wide film industry presence across two days
A number of leading Hindi film personalities attended the centenary event across both days. On the first day, actors Salman Khan and Ranbir Kapoor were seen at the venue along with filmmakers Mohit Suri, Subhash Ghai, Nitesh Tiwari, Mahaveer Jain, Om Raut and Vikram Malhotra. Lyricist and Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chairperson Prasoon Joshi was also present.
The second day saw participation from actors Akshay Kumar and Vicky Kaushal, filmmaker Karan Johar and actor Ananya Panday. Their presence added significant visibility to the celebrations, with several photos and short video clips from the event circulating widely on social media platforms.
Other film personalities spotted at the venue included Raveena Tandon, Shilpa Shetty, Jackie Shroff, Rupali Ganguly and Vineet Kumar Singh. Among directors and producers present were Madhur Bhandarkar, Mahesh Manjrekar, Aanand L Rai, Amar Kaushik, Amit Sharma, Ramesh Taurani and Anand Pandit. Observers noted that the attendees were seated among the general audience during the sessions rather than in a separate enclosure.
Two-day lecture series and centenary theme
The centenary programme was organised as a structured lecture series themed around 100 years of the Sangh’s journey and its future direction. Senior RSS leaders and invited speakers addressed multiple sessions focusing on organisational history, social initiatives and national issues.
The event format combined speeches with curated presentations highlighting the organisation’s activities over the past century. Organisers described the programme as part of a broader nationwide outreach linked to the RSS centenary year, with similar events planned in other cities as well.
Participants from different professional backgrounds, including education, arts and public life, were invited as part of the audience engagement effort.
Mohan Bhagwat addresses gathering
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat delivered a keynote address during the lecture series, touching upon issues including illegal infiltration, documentation and civic vigilance. According to remarks reported by news agency ANI, Bhagwat said the government has a major role in detecting and deporting illegal entrants and that such processes have begun gradually.
He referred to exercises such as census and related verification drives, stating that these processes help identify individuals who are not citizens and therefore remain outside formal records. He also spoke about the role of citizens in alerting authorities where they suspect violations, while emphasising lawful reporting and institutional action.
Bhagwat further stated that leadership roles within the RSS are not restricted by caste background, and that any individual — including those from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities — can become Sarsanghchalak based on their work and contribution within the organisation.
Social media buzz and mixed reactions
Images of top film stars attending the RSS centenary event quickly gained traction online, triggering mixed reactions. Supporters described the turnout as a sign of broader engagement between cultural figures and socio-national organisations. Critics, however, debated the implications of film personalities being associated with ideologically linked platforms.
None of the major actors present issued detailed public statements about their participation at the time of reporting. Industry watchers noted that public appearances at non-film platforms have increased in recent years, especially at policy, cultural and heritage-linked events.
Significance of the centenary year
Founded in 1925, the RSS completed 100 years this year, marking a significant milestone for the organisation. The centenary year programmes are expected to continue with outreach campaigns, seminars and volunteer-driven activities across multiple states.
Organisers say the focus of the centenary is on social service, cultural identity and civic responsibility, with an emphasis on youth engagement and community-level participation.
Conclusion
The presence of leading Bollywood actors and filmmakers at the RSS 100-year celebration added star power to what was primarily a socio-cultural and ideological event. With high-profile attendance, keynote speeches and structured discussions, the centenary programme underscored the organisation’s attempt to widen its engagement footprint while sparking public conversation around the intersection of culture, cinema and civic institutions.