Strategically scheduled on 72th Independence Day, the film rated as the top show of the genre in Week 33
National Geographic’s The President’s Bodyguard, an exclusive documentary which showcased one of the Indian Army’s oldest regiments, premiered as the top show of the Infotainment Genre in week 33 (source: BARC; Impressions’000;15+AB MF All India). The documentary, narrated by Amitabh Bachchan, hit the patriotic chord with the viewers with its powerful and emotion-arousing storytelling of this special unit.
National Geographic’s commitment to give viewers unprecedented access was highlighted in the documentary, which possibly aided to the success of the show. The spectacular film had not only given an inside view of the rich traditions and legacy of this unit, but also achieved the milestone of interviewing the incumbent Hon’ble President of India for the first time on a private television network.
A day before the premiere on National Geographic, a special screening of this documentary was hosted for The Hon’ble President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The screening was also attended by representatives from several ministries and forces, including India’s Army Chief, Bipin Rawat. At the screening, The Hon’ble President of India had also felicitated National Geographic’s team that had worked on the show.
The success of the show further reinforces National Geographic’s expertise in the cinematic and immersive storytelling of the Indian forces. The brand first produced a show in 2003 with the Indian Army (‘Mission Everest’), and more recently in 2016 had commissioned ‘BSF – India’s First Line of Defence, which had also premiered as the top show of the genre.