Handling the \"Head of the State\"

Handling the “Heads of the State”

From styling the hair of the prime minister to some of the top businessmen in the country, Amitabh Bachchan Thakur’s job is as interesting as his name

Amitabh Bachhan Thakur trimming Hair

Buddha Air Yatra Magazine

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Amitabh Bachhan Thakur with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli

Buddha Air yatra Magazine May 2019

with Barshaman Pun & Former Parliament Speaker Ansari Gharti Magar

Amitabh Bachhan Thakur with Business Person Dr. Upendra Mahato

Buddha Air yatra Magazine May 2019

Amitabh Bachhan Thakur with Speaker Former Speaker of the Parliament of Nepal Onsari Gharti and Former Finance Minister Barsaman Pun

Buddha Air yatra Magazine May 2019

In today’s age of quick access to information, it is quite impossible to ignore the coverage of political news. Often, we see heads of state and other people in high power in news and social media, talking about the nation’s issues. Political people appear as constantly in the limelight, as celebrities do. However, unlike celebrities, we rarely think about the people behind the leaders who groom them for their daily appearances. Have you ever wondered, "Who could be the hairdresser behind the prime minister? or "What are their routines and how often does a leader get a haircut?"

Meet Amitabh Bachchan Thakur. A man as interesting as his name. Amitabh is a barber but he isn’t your average salon hairdresser. Where his story gets interesting is that he provides his services to the prime minister, education minister and other high-profile clients.

Just like a Bollywood movie, Amitabh’s story has humble beginnings. He was born in a village in Rautahat and managed to only study till grade three. He left his home and moved to Kathmandu when he was about 12 years old. “I struggled a lot when I first came to Kathmandu. I

with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli

with Businessman Upendra Mahato

was with my uncle and he tried to fix a job for me for days.” He adds, “My uncle searched far and wide to find a job for me but couldn’t manage to get one.” Finally, one day, Amitabh’s uncle decided that if he could not manage a job on that particular day, then he would send the boy back to his village. But luck struck Amitabh and he managed to get work as a hairdresser in a small shop named

Just like a Bollywood movie, Amitabh’s story has humble beginnings. He was born in a village in Rautahat and managed to only study till grade three. He left his home and moved to Kathmandu when he was about 12 years old.

Bhatbhateni Beauty Parlour, which is located next to the namesake Bhatbhateni Temple in Naxal.

However, Amitabh’s struggles weren’t finished. As the youngest worker in the shop, Amitabh worked without wage for almost a year. Then the next year, he started getting paid half the salary of the other barbers in the shop. He also had to do chores for the older barbers. He had to cook, wash dishes and clothes and clean their communal living space. “I couldn’t complain because I was the youngest.” he said. Amitabh worked for 10 years for his first boss. One day, when his boss decided to sell the shop and move to Malaysia, Amitabh bought the salon.

The shop was small and could fit no more than 2 clients at a time. However, Amitabh persisted through thick and thin. A year after buying the store, he got his first high-profile gig when he was requested for his service by Min Bahadur Gurung, the Chairman and Managing Director of Bhatbhateni Supermarket.

Buddha Air Yatra Magazine May 2019

Buddha Air yatra Magazine May 2019

After that, success followed as his services grew more popular. Some of his notable clients include Nepal's current Prime Minister KP Oli, the former prime minister Sushil Koirala and the first president of Nepal, Dr. Ram Baran Yadav and current Minister for Energy, Water Sources and Irrigation, Barsha Man Pun. Amitabh Bachchan’s clients also include the former presidents of Non-Resident Nepalese Association, Shesh Ghale and Upendra Mahato.

When asked about how he managed to gain the trust of these important heads with their “heads” for him to cut hair, Amitabh is humble in his answer, “I believe I got this far thanks to my personality and honesty. I make clients feel at ease and comfortable.” he says. Amitabh is usually found in his shop, until he gets called for duty by high profile clients. “I get called in usually before important meetings or political events. I

have to be on standby, since I get a call only an hour in advance. These are really busy people so it could be any time of the day. Once I get the call, I have to carry my tools and head out quickly.” says Amitabh.

Amitabh provides haircuts and facials to his clients. “I try to give each client the best of my services. Since they are the heads and political leaders, I feel pride in my work and give a “VIP” service to them.” he says. When asked what he means by a “VIP service” Amitabh replies, “Since my clients are always stressed and dealing with a lot of issues, after my session, they leave feeling fresh. The

Amitabh keeps separate tools for his top clients and sterilizes scissors and combs after each trip.

ministers do not prefer to dye their hair or style it in exotic ways but they prefer a good head massage. Also when cutting their hair, I suggest suitable hairstyles that would look good on camera. Anyone can cut hair, but it takes a special eye to know which style would suit each face.”

Amitabh keeps separate tools for his top clients and sterilizes scissors and combs after each trip. “This is part of my special services for the VIP clients.” he says. He also uses special creams and lotions for them.

As a hairdresser for some of the most important people of the country, one cannot help but wonder if Amitabh chats about the current political scenarios with his VIP clients. However, Amitabh is a professional, so he sticks to his hairdressing and small talk. “I don’t have much interest in politics so I try to stay away from the subject.” says Amitabh as he chuckles. “They ask me about how I

have been and about my home, business and family. I don’t think I’m allowed to discuss serious topics with them anyway!”

It has been almost a decade since he began running his own shop and gaining clients of such importance. Today, Amitabh has shifted his shop to a more spacious area just in front of the Bhatbhateni Temple and close to Bhatbhateni Supermarket in Naxal. His shop has many framed photos of himself and his clients. There is a picture of him standing next to the Late Sushil Koirala. He also proudly displays the appreciation letter that he received from the office of the Prime Minister, KP Oli.

Amitabh feels that he has come quite a long way in his career. From a young boy looking for a job in the nation’s capital to serving clients that run the nation, he says that he feels truly blessed to be serving people of such high importance.

Regarding what next? Amitabh’s goal is to expand his business and set up more shops around Kathmandu. Currently, his shop receives about 30 clients a day and he has 5 people working under him now.

There is a saying in Nepal, “A king bows to no one except to God and a barber.” Indeed, often when we see

individuals in high places, we fail to recognize the many people behind them that directly or indirectly, help them to reach where they are. Amitabh’s story is one such example of a humble person supporting some of the top heads of the country in his own, humble way.