Bollywood reunites for 'Phir Mile Sur' film

shanA great multi-starrer ‘Phir Mile Sur’ is a new initiative to make the nation sing a song of secularism, was brought to you by The Times of India Group and Vodafone Essar...

Phir Mile Sur recreates the mood for an upbeat generation of united Indians. Filmed by Aarti and Kailash Surendranath, this commendable initiative has also been supported by Kingfisher Airlines and Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces. Bollywood has been a part of this initaiative and here is what some of the proud Indians who made Phir Mile Sur have to say about the initiative...

Amitabh Bachchan
I’m honoured that there’s been a gap of almost 23 years and still the makers of this wonderful commercial Mile Sur want to include me. Though circumstances may have changed, the words and the feelings of the song still remain the same. I feel good about it.
Times of India have always been involved in many such nationalist, social, moral movements and I have had the great honour to being a part of it. I thank ZOOM for making me such a part once again.

Shah Rukh Khan
The first time I heard Mile Sur Mera Tumhara, I was around 20, yet the first thing that caught my eye was the visual appeal. It was more of a non preachy, personal patriotic song. It has a great secular feel and people are moved by it even now. I’m glad to be associated with this subtle yet powerful movement to be at secular equality with each other and stand united. (In this picture, Shahrukh Khan is seen with Kailash Surendranath, co-creator of the video)

Salman Khan
It’s a brilliant concept that shows us how to get everybody on board and how to get everybody together. This song also underlines that we’re all on the same plane; that no one’s richer or poorer in emotion. No religion, caste, creed or colour is greater than the nation and the individuals of that nation. This song is almost like a second anthem!

Priyanka Chopra
Mile Sur is as patriotic and moving as a song can get. It’s a brilliant initiative and I’m glad to be part of it. It was something I really admired and I used to look forward to watching it. I say we should sing it every morning when we wake up.

Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

Abhi- I used to look forward to it to see all these luminaries and celebrities of the country. Almost towards the end, Dad used to be on it and I would excitedly look forward. I remember growing up thinking how cool it’d be to be a part of it one day. Today, it’s even more wonderful, because I get to be part of Phir Mile Sur with my wife.

Ash-I remember watching Mile Sur on TV and listening to the track. It was so inspirational. I was a kid in school and it was just overwhelming and impactful. It gave me gooseflesh; I remember it till this day.

Ranbir Kapoor
Mile Sur is like an anthem for every child who grew up watching DD. This song speaks about oneness; it’s been an important part of our country’s history, it’s feelgood, it’s emotional, it’s cathartic, and even after 20 years if you listen to the song it will have same impact.

Shahid Kapoor
Mile Sur drew a sense of patriotism out of me; a sense of secularism and a reminder that we’re all the same. It was one of the more prestigious videos that came out; with the most eminent of personalities were in it.

Deepika Padukone
I remember Mile Sur being one of the first commercial message films my Dad shot for. When I got a call to be a part of the new version I was thrilled and called my parents, who were like ‘You MUST be part of it!’ I think it’s a great unifying thought for our diverse country.

Anoushka Shankar
Mile Sur is such an iconic piece of music. I’m 28 now and this is something I’ve grown up listening to and watching on TV. After seeing all those musical greats and then, specially being a part of this, as a musician, is such an incredible experience.

Shankar Ehsaan Loy
We’re happy that Zoom and Times of India have taken this iconic song and redone it to suit today’s tastes, because no one can do it better than them.

Aarti and Kailash Surendranath(Co- creators)
It was an exhilarating experience creating Mile Sur Mera Tumhara which was a mosaic of so many different celebrities from various walks of life and regions in India. Today, we feel the same emotions gushing, after a span of two decades. So many things have changed in India — growth, prosperity, the economic scenario, however, as citizens of this wonderfully diverse country, our feelings for India have only grown stronger and Phir Mile Sur aims to showcase just that. And after filming over 60 days on-location in prominent and historic sites across 13 cities of India and 30 days of post–production work, the video of the iconic song features is a gift of love to the nation.