Apart from being the biggest superstar India ever had, Amitabh Bachchan is a father as well as a grandfather. On 4 September 2016, Big B penned down a letter to his beloved granddaughters Navya Naveli (Nikhil and Shweta Nanda’s daughter) and Aaradhya( Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s daughter).
Not just a written letter but he also tweeted a video in which he reads the letter aloud. He mentioned that it is not just for his granddaughters but for ‘all granddaughters’.
Amitabh Bachchan talks about all the prevailing issues such as gender issues and how there are certain problems which a woman has to face not only from the society but also from friends and family.
The main essence of the letter lies in the fact that Amitabh Bachchan mentioned, “privilege your name, your surname offers” will not protect Navya and Aaradhya “from the difficulties you will face because you ‘re a woman”.
He told them to not care about- ‘Log kya kahenge’(what people will say) and not let others dictate their lives for them.
Big B jotted down the letter which has some points which every girl should follow.
You both carry a very valuable legacy on your tender shoulders – Aaradhya, the legacy of your पर दादाजी, Dr. Harivansh Rai Bachchan… and Navya, the legacy of your पर दादाजी, Shri HP Nanda….
Both your पर दादाजीs gave your present surnames celebrated fame, dignity, and recognition!
Both of you maybe a Nanda or a Bachchan, but you are also girls…women!
And because you are women people will force their thinking, their boundaries on you.
They will tell you how to dress, how to behave, who you can meet and where you can go.
Don’t live in the shadows of people’s judgment. Make your own choices in the light of your own wisdom.
Don’t let anyone make you believe that the length of your skirt is a measure of your character.
Don’t let anyone’s opinion of who you should be friends with, dictate who you will be friends with.
Don’t get married for any other reason other than you want to get married.
People will talk. They shall say some terrible things. But that doesn’t mean you have to listen to everyone. Never ever worry about – लोग क्या कहेंगे!
At the end of the day, you are the only one who will face the consequences of your actions, so don’t let other people make your decisions for you.
Navya – the privilege your name, your surname offers you, will not protect you from the difficulties you will face because you’re a woman.
Aaradhya – by the time you see and understand this, I may well not be around. But I think what I am saying today shall still be relevant.
This may be a difficult, difficult world to be a woman. But I believe that it is women like you that will change that.
It may not be easy, setting your own boundaries, making your own choices, rising above people’s judgment. But YOU!… you can set an example for women everywhere.
Do this and you would have done more than I have ever done, and it will be my honor to be known not as Amitabh Bachchan, but as your grandfather!!
With all my love Your… Dadaji… your Nana.
Check out the video here –
Big B’s upcoming movie “PINK” which is a courtroom drama-thriller starring Bachchan and Tapsee Panu in the main lead also focusses lives of the women and Amitabh Bachchan plays the role of a lawyer in it.
Share this inspiring letter with all the girls you know.
