New Delhi: A poem narrated by ‘Family Man’ actor Manoj Bajpayee in 2020 has reoccurred on the Indian side of social media for its message on peace and harmony.
Filmmaker Milap Zaveri, who had conceptualized the poem is pleased to see its effect amid communal tensions across the country in recent times.
In the two-minute-long poem named ‘Bhagwan Aur Khuda’, Bajpayee says, “Bhagwaan aur Khuda aapas mein baat kar rahe thhe Mandir aur Masjid ke beech chauraahe par mulaqaat kar rahe thhe, ki haath jode huye ho ya dua me uthe, koi farak nhi padta hai. (Bhagwaan and Khuda met each other at a square between a temple and a mosque, whether you fold your hands or open your palms for prayer, it really doesn’t matter)”.
The video was initially posted by Zaveri in May 2020 during the first lockdown in India. However, with communal tensions seen in Karnataka, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi, the poem has found its way back on social media.
#BhagwanAurKhuda written and conceptualised by me in 2020 and performed so brilliantly by the legendary @BajpayeeManoj whose presence, performance, narration still gives me goosebumps. An important message for our nation. For all Indians and all humans? @TSeries pic.twitter.com/b23NuGjo6C
— Milap (@MassZaveri) April 19, 2022
“It is great to see it (poem) becoming so relevant (again). There have been unfortunate incidents where people of two communities have clashed and that has made this video relevant,” the filmmaker told PTI.
“And people came out to say that people from neither community want disharmony or discord amongst each other. Hindus and Muslims have lived in peace and that is what’s the message that the poem tries to give,” he added.
“I first thought about the poem in 2020 and it was released in May in the same year. The pandemic had begun and there was uncertainty and I wanted to give a positive message about humanity”.
“I guess because of recent events, it struck a chord somewhere stronger now and it got the video back into notice. It is a simple video. It doesn’t blame anyone or point fingers at anyone and rather says why can’t we co-exist in harmony,” Mr Zaveri told PTI.
