“It Felt Like a Real Conversation”: Smriti Kalra on Her Visit to Noni Johar 4.0 in Raipur
Raipur, 22 December 2025
Actor Smriti Kalra’s visit to Noni Johar 4.0 was not about celebrity appearances or stage speeches. It was about conversations — honest, sometimes uncomfortable, and deeply meaningful ones — with young people from across Chhattisgarh.
Organised by UNICEF, Agricon Samiti and the Chhattisgarh Alliance for Behaviour Change, Noni Johar 4.0 brought together nearly 250 adolescents and youth volunteers from 15 districts to reflect on issues that shape their everyday lives — identity, social norms, mental health, gender equality and self-worth.
For Smriti, known for her work in television and digital platforms and for speaking openly about self-confidence and mental health, the setting felt instantly familiar.
“What struck me most was the honesty in the room,” she says. “These young people were not trying to impress anyone. They were speaking from their own experiences — and that made all the difference.”
A Game That Opened Up Real Conversations
Instead of a conventional talk, Smriti chose to engage with the youth through an interactive activity titled “Fact or Friction.” The format helped break hierarchies and encouraged open dialogue.
“When you play a game together, labels disappear,” she explains. “It becomes easier to talk about things like pressure, social media influence and self-image.”
The session soon moved into deeper territory, with young participants raising questions around appearance, fairness and online judgement.
Challenging Color Bias and Beauty Standards
One of the most impactful moments came when a participant asked about skin colour and societal expectations. Smriti responded by urging young people to question ideas that are often internalized without reflection.
“Colour bias is something society teaches us — it’s not natural,” she said. “I hope the next generation learns to value character, confidence and kindness over appearances.”
The response resonated strongly with the audience, many of whom nodded in agreement.
“Leadership Has Nothing to Do With Geography”
What surprised Smriti most was the depth of awareness among the young volunteers.
“Many of them come from small towns and rural areas, yet they spoke with such clarity about mental health, gender equality and responsibility,” she notes. “It reminded me that leadership has nothing to do with geography.”
The Role of Public Voices in Behaviour Change
Noni Johar 4.0 is rooted in the idea that lasting social change begins with everyday behaviour shifts. Smriti sees a clear role for public figures in this process.
“I don’t believe in giving lectures,” she reflects. “If my presence helps normalise conversations around emotions and self-doubt, then that itself is a step towards change.”
A Moment That Stayed Beyond the Stage
As the formal session ended, Smriti spent time speaking individually with participants, listening to their stories and experiences. For many adolescents, it was not just an interaction with a celebrity, but a moment of feeling heard.
“If even one young person walked away feeling more confident about who they are,” she says, “then my visit truly meant something.”
With its focus on youth voices, dialogue and behaviour change, Noni Johar 4.0 continues to grow as a platform that goes beyond awareness — nurturing confident, thoughtful and socially aware young changemakers across Chhattisgarh.
