Bollywood's "Swades" Anthem Joins Axiom-4 Mission, Fueling Indian Astronaut's Space Journey

As Axiom Mission 4 blasted off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, bound for the International Space Station, a touch of Bollywood accompanied Indian pilot Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla. His launch-day playlist featured "Yuh Hi Chala Chal" from the Shah Rukh Khan film "Swades" (2004).

The AR Rahman composed song, sung by Udit Narayan, Kailash Kher, and Hariharan, reflects Shukla's connection to his roots. More importantly, it represents the spirit of determination embodied by both the film and his pioneering mission.

Axiom Space shared the Ax-4 crew's playlists on X. Commander Peggy Whitson, a veteran of spaceflight, went with Imagine Dragons' "Thunder." However, Shukla's Bollywood choice sparked excitement among fans worldwide.

Launched aboard a SpaceX Dragon from Launch Complex 39A in Florida at 2:31 am ET, Ax-4 is the fourth private astronaut mission to the ISS. Shukla joins Whitson, Poland's Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Hungary's Tibor Kapu on this journey. They are scheduled to dock with the station by 4 pm IST on Thursday, June 26.

The team will conduct over 60 experiments and commercial activities in orbit, representing 31 countries, including India. Shukla's presence signifies a collaboration between ISRO and NASA. The astronauts will wear advanced AxEMU spacesuits, designed for future Moon missions.

Mirroring the themes of "Swades," where an Indian-origin NASA scientist finds renewed purpose in his homeland, Shukla carries a similar spirit into space. This mission demonstrates how science, like music, transcends borders.