India’s presence in space has reached new heights, quite literally, with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s historic journey on the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to the International Space Station (ISS). While the mission itself is groundbreaking, what truly resonated with millions of Indians was the song Shukla chose for this monumental moment — the iconic “Yun Hi Chala Chal” from the 2004 film Swades. The track, featuring Shah Rukh Khan and Makarand Deshpande, is an anthem of perseverance and self-discovery.Axiom Space and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center revealed the astronauts’ personal playlists, and Shukla’s choice stood out for its deep emotional significance. The song, sung by Hariharan, Udit Narayan, and Kailash Kher, has long been a symbol of quiet strength and determination, perfectly mirroring Shukla’s journey. The lyrics, penned by Javed Akhtar, strike a chord with anyone who’s ever pursued a dream against all odds.At 39, Shubhanshu Shukla became the second Indian to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma, but he made history as the first to do so through a commercial American space mission led by Axiom Space. Selected by ISRO, Shukla serves as the pilot for this historic mission, marking a proud moment in India’s space history.