Actor and Member of Parliament, Kangana Ranaut marked National Handloom Day with a heartfelt appeal for Indians to embrace the country’s rich textile heritage, sharing how her own journey from favouring international luxury labels to proudly wearing traditional handloom weaves has reshaped her understanding of culture, identity and self-reliance.She shared a heartfelt video message on social media, encouraging people to embrace India’s handloom heritage while reflecting on her own evolving relationship with traditional textiles.In the Instagram video, Ranaut began by greeting her followers and referring to the rainy weather in the national capital. “Namaste friends, look at the view of Delhi today. It’s raining a lot here,” she said.Speaking about changing attitudes towards fashion, Ranaut reflected on her earlier preference for international brands. “We are the generation of fast food, fast life, and fast fashion. …And my house has always been full of international brands… I used to that handloom was something we wore only sometimes to show our Indianness, or during weddings, or once or twice a year.” Ranaut said her perspective changed in 2014 after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for self-reliance. “But in 2014, when the Honourable Prime Minister made us aware of self-reliance and self-respect, I also realised that the people we follow, whether they are Americans or Europeans, are proud of their own culture. But when it comes to showing our ethnicity, our culture, and our Indianness, we lack…” Showing the white and pink saree that she was wearing, she said, “Today I have worn this saree. It belongs to the Kutch region of Gujarat.” Describing handloom as an extension of India’s artistic and cultural identity, she added, “This is a part of our culture, and this generation also needs to move forward with it.”Ranaut concluded her message by urging people to support Indian handloom products. “So let’s join Handloom. Happy Handloom Day to everyone. Most of all, the Prime Minister has appealed to all of us to buy something from Handloom. Let’s do that today,” she said.Watch video here:https://www.instagram.com/p/DbuoKmezvlB/As part of the National Handloom Day celebrations, the Mandi MP recently visited the Weaves of India festival at CCIE too, where she explored India’s diverse textile traditions and interacted with master weavers and exhibitors representing different regions. The exhibition showcased traditional craftsmanship and the rich legacy of Indian handloom weaving.Ranaut has long been associated with promoting Indian handloom textiles. Over the years, she has frequently chosen traditional sarees and regional weaves for public appearances, airport looks and official events. Since becoming the Member of Parliament from Mandi, handloom sarees have become a regular feature of her parliamentary wardrobe.National Handloom Day is observed every year on August 7 to honour India’s handloom weaving community, preserve traditional textile heritage and commemorate the launch of the Swadeshi Movement on August 7, 1905.