Akhil O.S.O. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Bengaluru-based rapper Akhil Chandrasekhar, popularly known as Akhil OSO, has garnered over 70,000 followers on Instagram, which mainly comprises of young millennials and Gen Z. Known for his eclectic, peppy tracks, the artist has earned a reputation for creating great songs that appeal to his niche audience. However, there is one side of Akhil that his followers might not be familiar with: his deep patriotism. This unseen side of the rapper is set to come to the fore with the release of his new song ‘Simon Go Back’ on August 13.
The music video for ‘Simon Go Back’ begins with a stunning visual: Akhil stands on a beach in Udupi, the rhythmic crash of the waves providing a stark backdrop to his powerful lyrics. The opening lines, “They came down, free trade, the true agenda, they need slaves, with their guns, our shields break, no children in the streets, or the seas safe,” set a tone of raw emotion and historical reckoning.
These lines reference the British East India Company coming to India through port cities for trade, but eventually staying to colonise the country. The title ‘Simon Go Back’ and the beach setting are symbolic. “I wanted to create a full-circle moment by sending Simon back to the sea – it represents the British leaving India. This song is a tribute to our hard-fought independence,” says Akhil.
“I know this song is different from what I usually sing, but I wanted to make it because I see so much division in our country. People don’t feel united as a nation, and many young people have lost pride in being Indian. I think that disconnect from our history is a big part of the problem.”
Akhil O.S.O. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Akhil’s patriotic spirit was nurtured since childhood, heavily influenced by stories of struggle and perseverance in his family. “A relative of my mother’s family was among the six or seven people who survived the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. This story has been passed down through generations,” he recalls.
Her mother’s family was originally from Amritsar, which faced the brutal realities of British colonialism directly. “They had to leave their home due to British attacks. Their house was burnt down, and they had to move from city to city, eventually settling in Bangalore several generations ago.” Her Tamil father played an equally important role in reinforcing her sense of national pride.
Another turning point in Akhil’s journey came in 2015 when he happened to watch Shashi Tharoor’s viral speech at the Oxford Union. During a debate on Britain’s responsibility towards its former colonies, Tharoor argued how British colonial rule had severely damaged the Indian economy. His words deeply affected many Indians, including Akhil.
“When I heard that speech, I saw India in a whole new light – a part of India I didn’t know about. It showed me how we were once one of the greatest countries in the world,” he says, “This song is not just for my fans; it’s for everyone – kids, young people and even people in their 50s and 60s. I wanted to bring out the same feeling I felt when I heard that speech in others.”
While the lyrics of the anti-colonial song are a reminder of the injustices of the past, Akhil’s patriotic message is about looking to the future. “In my view, true patriotism is to work for a nation where every citizen gets equal opportunities and where we collectively strive for progress.”
