The Emami Conclave organised at JW Marriott Kolkata to mark the landmark year in the history of the conglomerate brought back memories of the Covid-19 outbreak. However, it wasn’t about the grim scenario that engulfed the world, particularly India, but about the stories, and rather the story of one man who stood out as a real hero and helped millions at the time of crisis. Actor Sonu Sood who braved all odds and emerged as an example of ‘together we can’, helped millions of migrant workers head back home safely. The actor sent a wave of positivity as he sat for a tete-a-tete with actress Neha Dhupia, the host of the evening.
No lights, camera, action in real life
Sonu started off by talking about how he realised the true purpose of his life when he met a family heading home from Mumbai to Karnataka and how the sight of a bus full of migrants leaving safely for their homes dawned the realisation that his purpose in life was much bigger than acting in big films and with big directors. “I belong to a small town of Moga in Punjab and I came to Mumbai for acting. I harboured the dream of working with big directors and in big films but when during Covid I met this family who requested me to help them with food for 10 days as they were planning to go home on foot, and my life’s purpose changed. I could finally help them and other families by arranging a bus and when the bus was departing, things started to move in slow motion, just like it happens in films. I realised that there are no lights, camera, action in real life; there’s only action.” He sent 7.5 lakh migrants back home during the pandemic.
Fighting fears
The biggest odd in the face of the humongous task of sending migrants home was the virus that was lurking in the air, and talking about the challenge of braving the virus and convincing others to join the force, he recalled: “People in my society were worried about me putting their lives at risk so they would call my wife and urge her not to send me out as I would bring the virus to the safe zone. So once when I was stepping out they gathered in front of the gate but couldn’t broach the topic. So I told them a simple thing. I said ‘We are blessed that we are on this side of the gate and if God has given us the opportunity to help those who are on that side of the gate, waiting to go home, then we should help them,’ and that’s how the mission and the wave started.” Dhupia also informed how he had once helped her in finding a venue for her and even now people queue up to seek help for various things from him.
Being limitless
The actor who has acted in both Bollywood and South Indian films talked about the importance of not limiting oneself by any boundary. He said: “When we tend to do something we limit ourselves. We don’t know our potential. When I started my mission, people told me to set my focus area but I met a variety of people with a variety of problems and I couldn’t say no to them. So though medicine is a vast sector I helped everyone and connected with doctors from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.”
More rewarding than a box-office number
Talking about the rewarding factor of his mission, he said: “It’s more special than all the box-office numbers. This is very special and I am blessed that God gave me that courage to do what I did.” Quoting his mom, he added: “My mom used to tell me ‘Sonu, Apni zindagi ki kalam mein duaaon ki siyahi daal le, to dekh tera naam patton par nahi aasman par likha jayega’.” He even urged all to not wait till they are rich and successful to help others, but start from today and help in whichever way you can.
Drawing inspiration from Emami
Dhupia interestingly pointed out the common ethos of Emami and Sonu and elaborating on it, Sonu said: “I have learnt a big deal from Emami. We live in an age when brothers cannot stand each other and here we have this family, started by two friends, who are standing with each other, building this big empire, as an example for all.” The actor with a big heart also had a message for those wanting to be successful in life. He said: “Hausla rakh, ek samay aisa aayega jab ghadi dusre ki hogi aur waqt tera batayega…”
Chance with Jackie Chan
Moving beyond his altruistic self, the actor recalled working with one of the biggest global stars, actor and director Jackie Chan. Describing how it was a dream come true for him, he recalled: “I remember when I signed the film and I was having dinner with him in Dubai, a text message reminded me of a wish that I had made seven years ago of working with Jackie Chan. And when I brought him to India and was taking him around I was wondering how the universe conspires to fulfil your dreams. I wanted to work with Chan and it happened. I wanted to work with the Emami group and today I am sitting in front of the Emami parivaar. So dreams come true.”
Health and lifestyle
Talking about the fit body and mind of the actor, Dhupia informed the audience how strict he was with his diet and that he stuck to daal chawal. Talking about the importance of fitness, he said: “It’s very important to remain fit. With time we lose focus and tend to get carried away with duties as parents but working on yourself is the only thing you can do for yourself. I have not taken a break from the gym for a very long time.”
Goal at 50
Ending the chat on a positive note, Dhupia made Sonu share his plans when he turns 50, like Emami. With all humility, the actor won hearts once again by saying, “I have just got my first old age facility and I have kept it in the name of my mother. So maybe I would like to celebrate it with 50 such facilities when I turn 50.”