Bollywood's 'Swades' Anthem Joins Axiom-4 Mission: Indian Astronaut's Playlist Honors Heritage in Space

As the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) thundered skyward from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, bound for the International Space Station (ISS), a familiar Bollywood melody resonated in the mind of Indian Air Force officer, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla: "Yuh Hi Chala Chal" from the 2004 Shah Rukh Khan film, Swades.

Swades anthem accompanies Axiom-4 launch

This uplifting song, composed by the legendary AR Rahman and performed by Udit Narayan, Kailash Kher, and Hariharan, was Shukla's personal choice for his launch day playlist. It serves as a poignant tribute to his Indian heritage and embodies the spirit of determination central to both the film and the overarching goals of his mission.

Shukla's First Words From Space: Jai Hind, Jai Bharat

Axiom Space unveiled the complete Ax-4 crew playlist on X. While mission commander and seasoned astronaut Peggy Whitson opted for Imagine Dragons' "Thunder," Shukla's Bollywood selection garnered significant attention.

The Ax-4 mission, propelled by a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, lifted off from Launch Complex 39A in Florida at 2:31 am ET (12 noon IST). This launch signifies the fourth private astronaut mission to the ISS. The crew, consisting of Shukla, Whitson, Polish astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu, is scheduled to dock with the station by 4 pm IST on Thursday, June 26.

The team's itinerary includes a 14-day stay in orbit, dedicated to conducting over 60 experiments and commercial activities encompassing 31 countries, including India. Shukla's participation underscores the strengthening collaboration between ISRO and NASA. The astronauts will be equipped with advanced AxEMU spacesuits, designed for upcoming lunar expeditions.

Evoking the narrative of Swades, where an Indian-American NASA scientist finds renewed purpose in his homeland, Shukla carries this sentiment into space. His mission underscores the universal nature of science, transcending geographical boundaries, much like the unifying power of music.