Exclusive: Sumeet Raghavan on Earth Day, says ‘I received a lot of flak for supporting Mumbai car-shed but there should be a complete ban on cutting trees’

As the world marks Earth Day on April 22nd — a global initiative dedicated to promoting environmental awareness and action — actor Sumeet Raghavan has voiced his deep concern over the alarming trend of deforestation in urban spaces. Known for his role in Wagle Ki Duniya, Sumeet reflected on recent incidents in Aarey, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, where large-scale tree cutting sparked public outrage.
Speaking exclusively to Times of India TV, he said, “Whatever has happened in Hyderabad is really unfortunate. Though the Supreme Court intervened and stopped further felling, the damage was already done. I don’t know what it is — maybe we’ve grown so disconnected from nature. We’re more interested in IT parks and commercial establishments than preserving our green cover.”

He addressed the backlash he received for supporting the controversial Mumbai Metro car-shed project in Aarey, clarifying his stance. “Yes, I supported the Metro car shed because it was in the larger interest of commuters. Mumbai has no more space for roads. Public transport, like the Metro, is the only practical solution now. That’s why I opposed the coastal road project too — it was made for private vehicles. I myself use the Metro for shoots, so I understand its importance.”
However, his perspective has since evolved. “I received a lot of flak from environmentalists and activists, and now I hear that 84 more trees will be cut. That I cannot support. There should be a complete ban on tree cutting — be it for roads, buildings, or IT parks. I love trees, and moving forward, there must be stricter laws to protect them. No more cutting trees, no matter the project.”

Sumeet's thoughts highlight the need to strike a balance between development and sustainability, especially on a day as significant as Earth Day.