Amitabh Bachchan credits sitar, slide guitar for solace during sleepless nights
Synopsis
At 82, Amitabh Bachchan refuses to let sleep win. His late-night work binges are now soundtracked by sitar and slide guitar — not as escape, but as spiritual anchor. In his latest blog post, he frames music as the invisible thread connecting soul to the divine, and the seven universal notes as mankind's most democratic language.
Key Takeaways
Amitabh Bachchan , 82 , shared on his blog that work routinely takes priority over the recommended seven hours of sleep.
He finds healing in sitar-based classical meditation music and slide guitar renderings during late-night work sessions.
Bachchan described music as "the best cure for the soul" and "the chord that ties the soul to the Almighty." He emphasized that the seven musical notes common to melodies worldwide represent a universal language uniting humanity.
The actor concluded that music, when approached with respect, rewards listeners with inner peace and the calm necessary for sleep.
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan opened up about battling chronic sleeplessness tied to demanding work schedules, revealing how classical meditation music — particularly slide guitar and sitar renderings — has become his refuge during late-night hours. The 82-year-old actor shared the reflective note on his blog on 12 May, offering a candid glimpse into the toll of his relentless work ethic.
Work over rest: The actor's confession
Bachchan acknowledged that despite medical guidance recommending a minimum of seven hours of sleep for bodily recovery and repair, his professional commitments routinely override rest. "work is more important than sleep," he wrote, noting that the tension between career demands and health advice remains unresolved even at his stage of life.
Music as the antidote
While working late into the night, Bachchan finds solace in soulful classical compositions. He described the experience of immersing himself in gentle sitar-based meditation music as therapeutic, stating there is "no better cure for the soul than this." The soothing instrumental passages serve as a counterbalance to the stress of nocturnal work sessions.
The spiritual dimension
Bachchan elevated the discussion beyond mere relaxation, framing music as a spiritual connector. He wrote that music acts as "the chord that ties the soul to the Almighty," an invisible thread that transcends the material world. In his view, the seven musical notes that form the basis of melodies across all cultures represent a universal language binding humanity together.
A call for respect
The veteran actor concluded with a philosophical appeal: "respect it and it shall respect you." He suggested that when listeners approach music with reverence rather than casual consumption, it rewards them with the peace necessary for sleep and inner calm. This framing positions music not as entertainment but as a sacred practice worthy of intentional engagement.
Point of View
Most actors have earned the luxury of sleep; he has chosen the opposite. What's revealing is not that he works late — it's that he has weaponized philosophy to justify it. Music as spiritual balm, the seven notes as universal truth — these are comforting narratives, but they mask a deeper question: whether relentless work at his age is ambition or compulsion. The blog post reads less like a health crisis and more like a meditation on meaning-making through labour.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Amitabh Bachchan struggle with sleep?
Bachchan has acknowledged that work takes priority over rest in his schedule, despite medical advice recommending a minimum of seven hours of sleep for bodily recovery and repair. His professional commitments routinely override sleep, a pattern he has maintained even at age 82.
What type of music does Amitabh Bachchan listen to during sleepless nights?
Bachchan listens to classical meditation music, particularly sitar-based compositions and slide guitar renderings. He described these soulful instrumental pieces as therapeutic and as his refuge during late-night work sessions.
What spiritual meaning does Bachchan attach to music?
Bachchan frames music as a spiritual connector, describing it as "the chord that ties the soul to the Almighty." He views it as an invisible thread transcending the material world and emphasizes that the seven musical notes common to all world melodies represent a universal language uniting humanity.
How does Bachchan view the relationship between music and sleep?
Bachchan suggests that when approached with respect and reverence, music rewards listeners with inner peace and the calm necessary for sleep. He positions it not as entertainment but as a sacred practice worthy of intentional engagement.
