Mumbai: A 2020 poem, featuring Manoj Bajpayee as the narrator, has struck a chord on social media with its message of communal harmony, and filmmaker Milap Zaveri, who had conceptualised it, says it is great to see the poem’s message reach the people in the current times.
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Titled “Bhagwan Aur Khuda”, the two-minute poem addresses the futility of conflict between religions as Mr 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).” Mr Zaveri had originally put out the video back in May 2020 at the height of coronavirus-induced lockdown in India.
But at the time when communal incidents have been reported in states like Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and national capital New Delhi, the poem is once again finding resonance among the social media users, who are praising its message of peace and harmony.
Mr Zaveri, best known for directing commercial entertainers like “Satyameva Jayate”, “Marjaavaan” and “Satyameva Jayate 2”, said the scenario during the coronavirus pandemic that hit India in March 2020 propelled him to pen his thoughts about humanity.
“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.
