Saiyami Kher expressed concern over Mumbai’s worsening air quality, saying she now wears a mask even for her morning runs. Calling for accountability, she said pollution is “undoing” years of discipline and should not be politicised
Saiyami Kher
Actress Saiyami Kher is asking for accountability from the authorities, who are entrusted with keeping the Mumbai air clean. The actress penned a long note speaking about the declining air quality of the city and how it has become difficult to do basic things as running on the streets.
Saiyami Kher on Mumbai's air quality
On Tuesday, the actress took to her Instagram and X account, and shared a picture of herself wearing a mask. She also penned a long note in the caption, as she wrote, “I started running a decade ago. Every morning, I’d find myself on Carter Road, chasing the ocean breeze. That wind is what made me fall in love with this city and running. I want to feel it again. And dystopian as it is, I put on a mask before lacing my shoes. It took me back to the pandemic. Except there’s no virus in the air endangering our life. The air itself could kill us. I never imagined a day when the very thing we breathe to survive would become a luxury”.
I started running a decade ago. Every morning, I’d find myself on Carter Road, chasing the ocean breeze. That wind is what made me fall in love with this city and running.
— Saiyami Kher (@SaiyamiKher) February 24, 2026
I want to feel it again. And dystopian as it is, I put on a mask before lacing my shoes. It took me back to… pic.twitter.com/FIu6uP5JNd
The actress shared how doing everything is still not enough as the air is polluted beyond repair, and it needs urgent attention of the authorities.
She further mentioned, “My doors and windows stay shut. I bought an air purifier. I moved my runs to a treadmill, staring at a wall instead of the sea. And it still isn’t enough. Running is the thing that keeps me whole. It clears my head. It heals something in me that nothing else reaches. But now the act I built my life around feels like it’s quietly destroying me. Pollution is undoing what years of discipline and sweat and devotion built, one breath at a time. This isn’t seasonal anymore. It shouldn’t be political”.
“But somewhere between the data and the denial, people like me are out there in masks, grieving a morning run, mourning a city we loved. Is basic accountability really too much to ask for?”, she added.
Richa Chadha reacts to Saiyami's post
The actress who is herself vocal on civic issues lauded Kher for her post. Reposting the tweet, Chadha wrote, "The very significant, smart and sweet Saiyami… speaking for all of Mumbai."
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