तू न थकेगा कभी, तू न रुकेगा कभी, तू न मुड़ेगा कभी, कर शपथ, कर शपथ, कर शपथ,
अग्निपथ अग्निपथ अग्निपथ।
Limca book of records was celebrating “India at its Best” and was felicitating the legends of India including Mr. Bachchan. As part of the felicitation photo-op there was a badge which was given to each dignitary to pin on the jacket/coat. In the slightly dim-lit back-stage, I saw the #BigB struggling with the pin and as he looked up he saw me – and requested if I may help him pinned. While I managed to do that with my trembling hands, I could feel his warm eyes, assuring me.
We had been informed in advance by Mr. Bachchan’s office that he was on a tight schedule and would leave immediately after the felicitation. But post the event, there was request by few media houses for an interview with Mr. Bachchan. While we were planning on informing the media about the tight schedule, I heard the famous baritone : I can meet few.
And what started with 2 became One More, One More please.
For Mr. Amitabh Bachchan, its not the age but the MILEage as he continues to remain relevant, reinventing himself again and again. One of the finest actors of Hindi Cinema (he doesn’t like the word Bollywood), Mr. Bachchan is also of the most recognised and trusted faces in the country. His maturity and statesmanship gives him an unparalleled mass appeal making him one of the most reliable and trust worthy face.
The 2015 study on human brands named Amitabh Bachchan as the most “trustworthy” brand across geographies, demographics and income classifications. Despite controversies and competition from a growing band of young celebrities, the superstar manages to retain the trust of consumers across age groups.
So when Covid19 stuck, it was no brainer for The WHO and The Ministry of Health, Government of India to find someone who could make people aware of COVID-19 issue and urge them to practice social distancing. Over the last 20 years he has been the face of many brands and associated with various social campaigns.
One of the biggest advantage Amitabh Bachchan has, despite his age, he is current and contemporary. From acting to production to politician to music videos he has ventured into various new field, taking tentative step in that direction.
From big screen to small screen – being a Chef (Cheeni Kum), to a child (Paa), to an arrogant and hypochondriac father (Piku), he keeps challenging himself and presenting in a new avatar. Success, Failure keeps coming for him, but then he reinvents himself to rule the mind and imagination of the nation by constantly reinventing himself – learning, unlearning and upgrading himself.
As COVID-19 pandemic takes the world by storm, changing our lifestyle the key is remind ourselves that we can take this opportunity to pause and reboot. Just like Mr. Bachchan we can reinvent to be better positioned for new PATH.
Here is the famous poem by Mr. Harivansh Rai Bachchan, father of Mr. Amitabh Bachchan, which was used for the movie Agneepath.
तू न थकेगा कभी, तू न रुकेगा कभी, तू न मुड़ेगा कभी, कर शपथ, कर शपथ, कर शपथ,
अग्निपथ अग्निपथ अग्निपथ।
यह महान दृश्य है, चल रहा मनुष्य है, अश्रु श्वेत रक्त से, लथपथ लथपथ लथपथ,
अग्निपथ अग्निपथ अग्निपथ।
~ हरिवंशराय बच्चन
(English Translation)
You shall never tire, You shall never slow down, You shall never turn back, This oath you will take today!
This oath you will fulfill in your life! Take this oath! And walk the Path of Fire, every single day! The oath of fire! Yes, That Path of Fire!
What greater spectacle, Than to see such a man walk, Who in tears, sweat and blood, Is soaked, covered and coated;
And still walks on in the Path of fire! Walks the path of fire! Yes, That Path of Fire!
Happy Birthday Sir. Stay Blessed.
(Most images courtesy Google search)