Actor Kajal Aggarwal has lauded Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe for his steadfast honesty and integrity, saying a candid exchange with the senior bureaucrat reflected how qualities that should define public service are now increasingly viewed as rare.
Sharing the interaction on X, Aggarwal said she had long admired Mundhe's work and used the opportunity to compliment him on his "honesty and sincerity." But it was his response that, she said, stayed with her.
It was such a pleasure meeting Tukaram Munde sir. I've long been an admirer of the work he's doing and took the opportunity to compliment him on his honesty and sincerity.
— Kajal Aggarwal (@MsKajalAggarwal) July 20, 2026
His response stayed with me.
He said, “Honesty and sincerity are simply a part of my job and my DNA. The… pic.twitter.com/BZeXQV5zuH
According to Aggarwal, Mundhe brushed aside the praise, saying honesty and sincerity were simply integral to his job and part of who he is.
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She added that the fact such qualities are now seen as exceptional only reflects how uncommon they have become, calling it a "sad state of affairs.”
Aggarwal said Mundhe's remarks made her "pause and reflect," adding that his steadfast commitment to doing the right thing, even in difficult circumstances, was deeply inspiring.
She said integrity should be the norm rather than an exceptional trait and called for more leaders in public life who uphold those values.
The actor also linked the conversation to her upcoming film, The India Story, saying its central theme mirrors the concerns Mundhe has been raising through his work at the FDA.
She said the film focuses on food adulteration, excessive pesticide use and the health risks associated with unsafe food practices, urging people not to become "silent consumers" of practices that compromise public well-being.
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Ending her post with a note of appreciation, Aggarwal wished Mundhe success in his efforts to clean up the system, saying India needs many more public servants who uphold integrity as a basic duty rather than an extraordinary virtue.
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