Bengaluru man Avik Bhattacharya has won the internet with a unique birthday gesture for his girlfriend, Simran, running 26 kilometres to celebrate her 26th birthday. The heartfelt effort, shared on their joint Instagram account @simranxavik, has captured the attention of millions online.
The video begins with Simran explaining that she had hoped to complete a 26-km run on her birthday herself but was unable to due to ill health. Visibly moved, she reacts to Avik’s dedication, saying, “I don’t know how to match this guy.”
Avik, addressing the camera, says, “My girlfriend just turned 26, so I’m going to be running 26 km for her birthday.” Throughout the run, he records short clips sharing his thoughts, prayers, and reflections. He mentions running without earphones to remain mindful and fully present, using the time to think about happy moments with Simran.
The couple is also preparing for the Mumbai Marathon, scheduled in just over two weeks, but Avik chose to dedicate this particular run entirely to Simran. One particularly touching moment comes when he speaks about wishing her good health, describing physical well-being as “the base for everything,” a sentiment that resonated strongly with viewers.
Instagram users quickly flooded the post with praise. Comments ranged from admiration for his dedication—“Bro setting standards”—to emotional reactions such as, “My throat just got heavy.” Others added a humorous touch, with one writing, “For the sake of my mental sanity, I’ll think it’s AI.”
Since being shared on January 5, 2026, the video has crossed 7.5 million views and garnered over 6.8 lakh likes, making it one of the most talked-about relationship moments on Indian Instagram this year.