Google Wants Amitabh Bachchan To Give You Voiceover Directions On Their Maps App
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Let’s be real. We have all dreamed about having our favorite actors and voiceover artists direct us while we are traveling. Online you’ve probably come across a variety of memes where people have joked about stars navigating their vehicles. Tonnes of celebrities with distinguished voices like Morgan Freeman, James Earl Jones, and Amitabh Bachchan have often been brought up as voiceover options online. Well, for all you Big B fans out there, your dreams might soon turn to reality. Yes, instead of the annoying and oddly accented voiceover we currently receive while navigating, it will be the Shahenshah of Bollywood navigating you. So here’s how it happened
Most Recognisable Baritone In The Country
There’s no denying that Amitabh Bachchan has one of the most notable voices in Indian film. Whether you are a 60-year-old-man or a 5-year-old-girl, you will recognize Amitabh’s voice if you hear it. According to reports, the actor has been approached by Google India but no contract has been signed yet due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. Once confirmed, the recording sessions are most likely going to happen in the house of Amitabh Bachchan himself.
You would think that a voice like Amitabh’s would be perfect for the role of a voice over artist or radio jockey, however, the actor was once rejected from All India Radio. We bet you, the hiring crew was kicking themselves after he got his big break. This isn’t the first time that the actor has lent his voice to a big name. In March 2005, he even narrated an Oscar-winning documentary on Penguins. Besides voice-overs, Amitabh Bachchan is also a powerful singer and has sung for many movies. Some of his most popular songs include Rang Barse from the film Silsila, O Saathi Re from Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Padosan Apni Murgi Ko Rakhna from Jaadugar and many other songs.
Not Just Your Regular Actor
The incredible veteran legend rose to prominence in the 1970s and won international acclaim as he made a name for himself across the country. Back then, he was known as the Angry Young Man. After settling down with Jaya Bhaduri and having his two children, Amitabh eventually ventured into other forms of entertainment and started hosting and occasionally singing. Yes, the actor can act, sing, and dance! Talk about setting the bar high.
Amitabh Bachchan has achieved cult status across the globe and has even won himself a statue at Madame Tussauds. His entire career has skyrocketed in recent years and the actor even played host on Kaun Banega Crorepati (Who Wants To Be A Millionaire) for many many years.
Giving Back
As one of the biggest voices of our countries, Amitabh makes it a point to lend his voice to important causes. He has advocated for the fight against polio, donated to farmers affected by drought, fought for environmental rights, and many other causes. It’s no denying that Indians look up to Amitabh Bachchan and tend to hang onto everything he says.
Recently, the actor arranged for around 700 migrant workers to return to their home state of Uttar Pradesh amidst the Coronavirus pandemic. The actor arranged for flights with a capacity of 180 passengers to travel to the UP cities of Gorakhpur, Allahabad, and Varanasi. According to sources, Big B had initially planned on arranging trains for the migrant workers, however, the logistics did not work out. Many migrant workers praised the actor for his efforts and were able to make it back home safely and securely.
“I contacted Haji Ali Dargah and filled up a travel form on being told by a friend about Bachchan saheb making arrangements for flights for UP natives desirous to return home. And we got flight tickets soon. It was unbelievable,” said a migrant worker named Mukesh Madhesia. The Azamgarh native works at a tailoring shop in the Worli district of Mumbai (which is known to be a Coronavirus hotspot at the moment). For a lot of the people who were rescued in Mumbai, this was their first experience on an airplane. The workers thanked the actor for his tremendous efforts once they landed.
The UP government too expressed their appreciation for the actor and his active efforts towards helping those less fortunate during this difficult time. Amitabh has also participated in a short PSA on the importance of social distancing. He has been active on social media during this time and has been sharing important updates and other vital information. The proud actor recently celebrated the graduation of his oldest grandchild in their backyard and was over the moon with happiness. Do let us know if you’re excited to see Amitabh provide a voiceover for Google Maps.
