National Sports Day 2026: Sony SAB's Hastinapur Ke Veer brings alive the timeless Guru-Shishya relationship through the legendary bond between Dronacharya (Jiten Lalwani) and his students, where discipline, dedication and perseverance shape every warrior's journey.
As National Sports Day celebrates the spirit of fitness and sporting excellence, the cast reflects on the people or sports that have helped them build healthier habits, stay disciplined and push their physical limits.
Jiten Lalwani who plays Dronacharya shares, "My fitness Guru has always been my trainer, who taught me that fitness is not about looking a certain way but about building strength and discipline that you can sustain. He has been very particular about consistency and often reminds me that you cannot expect results if you only work hard when you feel motivated. That mindset has stayed with me even on days when I am shooting long hours. Playing Dronacharya has also made me appreciate the Guru-Shishya relationship even more because a good teacher doesn't just tell you what to do, they teach you the discipline to keep doing it."
Athar Khan who plays Yudhishthir shares, "My father has always been my biggest motivation when it comes to staying active and valuing sports. When I am on set, my co-stars and I often make the most of our breaks by stepping outside and playing together instead of staying in our vanity rooms or scrolling on our phones. We all love playing games like cricket, football and hide and seek during our breaks on set. It's become one of the easiest ways for us to unwind, have fun and get some movement in between shooting. Playing together has also brought us closer as a team, and I think that's what I enjoy most about sports. They bring people together, teach you to work as a team and remind you to enjoy the game, whether you win or lose. This National Sports Day, I think it is important to simply find a sport you love and make time for it."
Aayudh Bhanushali, who plays Duryodhan, says, "Playing Duryodhan and training for gada yudh has taught me the importance of strength, confidence, and discipline. It has also made me more interested in sports like wrestling and strength training, where focus and practice matter a lot. I have even taken basic wrestling lessons, which showed me how challenging and fun the sport can be. I look up to wrestlers like Sushil Kumar and Sakshi Malik, who inspire me with their hard work and achievements. I also love playing sports with my friends because there is always a little competition and everyone wants to win!
Dhaval Tripathi, who plays Ashwatthama, adds, "Off late I have developed a keen interest in archery because of my character Ashwatthama. Playing a warrior who is trained in combat and archery has made me curious to understand the focus, precision and patience that go into the sport. I have started enjoying the process of learning about the technique and how much control it takes to get the shot right. What I find most interesting is that archery is as much about mental strength and concentration as it is about physical ability. This National Sports Day, I feel fortunate that my character has introduced me to a sport that I may not have explored otherwise, and I hope to continue learning and getting better at it."
*Tune in to watch Hastinapur Ke Veer Monday to Saturday at 9:00 PM on Sony SAB*
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