The first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Axiom Mission 4 in 2025, Shukla has recently chronicled that journey in his book The Second Orbit . For astronaut and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla sharing his space journey is as important as experiencing it. For him, the hope is that his experience will inspire others to dream big.
He was in the state capital for the ongoing Gomti Book Festival at Lucknow University. Ask if his book could eventually make its way to the big screen or OTT series and whether he already been approached for an adaptation, Shukla quips, “I don’t know! Whether it is converted into a movie, some kind of series or something, I think spreading this awareness is very, very important. They will go and do such things, so they need to be aware that such things are possible. When asked if he has been approached or if there has been any progress, he replies with a smile. “Honestly, as of now there is no progress yet. For now, there is no plan to turn it (the book) into a movie or series as bahut kaam bacha hai and I have a lot to contribute to our space mission. There is no effort in watching a film or series; you just see. For paper books, you need to make an effort. Text is the same for everyone, but everyone’s imagination and way of perceiving it is different, and that opens a world of possibilities. We need to take calculated risks in life, then only success comes to you.”
Personally, I like these stories to be shared – be it any medium,” says the astronaut, revealing that the last film he watched was Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey . Differentiating between books and movies in his advice to kids, he says, “What you see in movies and read are two different things. On a signing-off note, he spelled out his mantra: “I hardly said no to any opportunity coming my way!
We need to talk about it more as children are the future of tomorrow.
