Video: Manoj Bajpayee recites 'Bhagwan aur Khuda', a poem about communal harmony

(Image credit: Screengrab from video uploaded on YouTube by T-Series)

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 poem's message reach people in the current times.

Titled "Bhagwan Aur Khuda", the two-minute-long poem addresses the ineffectiveness of conflict between religions as Manoj 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.

#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

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.

According to Zaveri, the video has resurfaced again due to some "unfortunate incidents" and that's why even he shared it on his Twitter handle. "

"It is great to see it (the 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 news agency PTI.

He added: "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".

Zaveri continued: "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."

The director said through the medium of "Bhagwaan aur Khuda", he has made an attempt to communicate that we all are one.

Zaveri credits Bajpayee for recognising and helping him bring a new side of his personality to people.

"I am grateful to Manoj sir for lending his voice for something poignant and powerful. It meant a lot to me," he added.

The poem "Bhagwan Aur Khuda" happens to be the director's second poem, after John Abraham recited his first poem "Mera Bharat Mahaan", about lauding the spirit of India -- penned by Zaveri.