Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Aug 31: Sandalwood star Kichcha Sudeep has launched a heartfelt green initiative to mark the birth anniversary of his late mother, Saroja Sanjeev, by planting a sapling in her memory. Titled “Ammana Hejjege Hasiru Hejje” (A green step in mother’s footsteps), the movement is intended to be a living tribute — one that connects memory with sustainability.

On Saturday, August 30, Sudeep, along with his wife and sister, planted a coconut tree at Kumaraswamy Layout Park in Bengaluru. “Every tree has a story. Let this tree tell my mother’s story,” he wrote emotionally, announcing the launch of the initiative through social media.

The programme was organised under the banner of the Sudeep Charitable Trust, and the actor shared plans to extend the campaign by planting trees at various locations in the future.

The actor’s mother, Saroja Sanjeev, passed away on October 20, 2024, at the age of 76 due to age-related illness. She had been undergoing treatment at Apollo Hospital in Bengaluru, but did not recover. 

A native of Udupi and a Tulu speaker, Saroja had played a key role in shaping Sudeep’s personal and professional life — something he has frequently acknowledged in interviews and on public stages. The tree-planting, he said, is a way to honour that legacy while also giving back to nature.

'Please don’t come home' – Actor’s appeal ahead of birthday

While Sudeep’s own birthday falls on September 2, he has asked fans to refrain from gathering at his home this year. Known for celebrating his birthday with fans in large public events — including a major cake-cutting ceremony in 2024 at the MES Grounds in Jayanagar — this year’s mood is markedly different.

“This will be my first birthday without my mother. I’m finding it difficult even to imagine celebrating without her,” Sudeep wrote. “Please don’t come to my house. If we must meet, let’s do it somewhere else. I want to keep the atmosphere at home peaceful,” he said.

The message has struck a chord with fans, many of whom have expressed support and respect for the actor’s decision.

The “Green Step in Mother’s Footsteps” initiative has received appreciation for combining personal loss with environmental action. The actor’s symbolic gesture has inspired admirers to consider planting trees in memory of their own loved ones.

Through this act, Kichcha Sudeep has once again shown that tributes don’t always need to be grand — they can also be green, personal, and purposeful.