“They Came To Bury Me, Forgot I Was A Seed,” Vikas Khanna Shares Michelin-Star Memory In Throwback Video

Having never met Vikas Khanna in person, or even dined at any of his restaurants, every Indian can’t help but embrace the chef as their own. Perhaps, it’s his story of grit that resonates. The story of a young man from Amritsar who sold Chole Bhature with his mother in narrow gullies, who later represented India on the global stage, cooked for world leaders and even bagged a Michelin star. Recently, Chef Vikas Khanna shared a throwback video from MasterChef India where he was seen narrating the tale of a phone call that changed his life.

The 90 Seconds That Changed Vikas Khanna’s Life

In a throwback video of MasterChef India S5 reposted by Vikas Khanna, the chef recalls 90 seconds that completely changed his life. On a regular night at this restaurant, the hostess informed Khanna of a call from the Michelin Guide. It took him 90 seconds to reach his office from his kitchen.  As he walked down the stairs, each second spent was a flashback of his culinary journey. Snippets of moments that shaped him.

In front of him were flashes of young Vikas Khanna helping his mother to sell Chole Bhature in Amritsar, as his grandmother sat behind, frying them. Another scene in front of his eyes was the catering gigs he received. From not knowing English to meeting chefs who vilely mocked about “cutting his hands” to sleeping on pavements, those 90 seconds brought those struggles in front of his eyes.

Also Read: 14 Restaurants In Bangalore That Offer Michelin-Star-Like Experiences With Elegance & Luxury

Michelin-Star Chef Shared His Journey

“Now you will be called a Michelin-Star chef, one of the few in the world,” were the words that rang on the other end of the line. What helped Khanna pull through those difficult moments was a piece of paper stuck on his notice board. It read, “Woh mujhe dabaane aaye the, dafnane aaye the, woh bhul gaye, main beej hoon (They came to finish me, end me, they forgot I was a seed).”

Kneeling on the floor, Vikas Khanna recalled crying with joy and thanking his mother and father for supporting his journey. This life-changing moment inspired the chef to write a short story. The story later transformed into a screenplay, which will release as a full-fledged feature film, Imaginary Rain, starring Shabana Azmi and Prateik Smita Patil.

Also Read: What’s The Secret Behind Vikas Khanna’s Healthy Body Despite Being A Foodie? Diet Revealed!

Vikas Khanna’s story is indeed an inspiration of grit, persevarance and humility despite all the accolades. The 90 seconds that changed his life also changed the fate of Indian restaurants.

Cover Image Courtesy: Instagram/@vikaskhannagroup