Adivi Sesh receives a rare Honour as he marks India’s Independence Day across New York with three landmark events: illuminating the Empire State Building, hoisting the Tricolour at Times Square and joining the India Day Parade

Actor Adivi Sesh will mark India’s Independence Day in a special way this year as he revives a rare honour to hoist the Indian Tricolour at the iconic Times Square in New York City on August 15, 2026. Adivi Sesh will be the Chief Guest at the “Harmony in Heritage – Times Square Flag Hoisting” ceremony, organised by the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) NY-NJ-CT-NE. Scheduled for 10 am EST, the ceremony will bring together members of the Indian-American community to celebrate India’s heritage, freedom and national pride.
The celebrations will begin on August 14, when Adivi Sesh will have the rare honour of pulling the ceremonial lever alongside the CEO of the Empire State Building to illuminate the landmark in the colours of the Indian Tricolour. For the actor, the moment carries a deeply personal significance, taking him back to a childhood memory associated with India’s patriotic music.

Speaking about the occasion, Adivi Sesh said, “With regard to the 14th, me pulling the lever in the Empire State Building to the tricolour lights across the building, which is visible from anywhere in New York City, reminds me about how as a kid, for the first time on the Namaste America programme, I saw A.R. Rahman’s ‘Vande Mataram’, and I remember that whenever that song would come on, I would stand and watch. So there’s a certain childhood whimsical nostalgia that is involved that is actually based on my real life.”
On the morning of August 15, Sesh will join the Consul General of India for the flag-hoisting ceremony at Times Square, which will be followed by patriotic songs and cultural performances. The celebrations will conclude on August 16 with the India Day Parade along Madison Avenue, where Sesh will ride the America 250 float alongside elected officials and greet 55 passing floats from the main podium. 
For Sesh, the three-day celebration goes beyond a ceremonial appearance. Reflecting on the honour of raising the Tricolour on foreign soil, he said, “It is truly an honour and a privilege to be given the opportunity to hoist the Indian Tricolour at Times Square on Independence Day.” He added that the flag represents India’s history, resilience, diversity, aspirations and the pride of its people.
As the Indian-American community comes together in New York to celebrate the nation’s 80th Independence Day, Adivi Sesh’s participation is set to add a personal and cinematic touch to a celebration rooted in heritage, pride and the enduring connection Indians share with their homeland.