PNS|Visakhapatnam
“The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world” — this adage finds renewed relevance in the extraordinary journey of Bharadwaj Dayala, a Visakhapatnam-based adventurer-turned-filmmaker who has launched an ambitious international documentary initiative titled Million Amazing Women. The project seeks to honour and archive stories of resilience, fortitude, and achievement among women from across all walks of life — from world leaders to grassroots workers.
Formerly a successful software professional, Dayala once belonged to the thriving Indian IT sector. However, a deep personal calling led him to leave behind a lucrative career in search of more meaningful pursuits. “I never lacked financial stability,” he shared with The Pioneer. “But I longed to do something that carried a larger impact — something that would matter to the world at large.”
That calling would eventually lead to one of the most ambitious storytelling endeavours in recent times. In 2006, Dayala became the first Indian to complete a solo motorcycle circumnavigation of the globe, covering over 48,000 kilometres across 16 countries and five continents.
Beginning in Visakhapatnam, his route spanned Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Greece, the UK, Canada, the United States, and back to India over a period of 18 months.
Amid encounters with diverse cultures and communities, it was the memory of his late mother, Kusuma Dayal, that remained a constant source of inspiration. “She raised five children with remarkable strength and grace,” he said. “This project is a tribute to women like her — those whose unwavering sacrifices often remain unacknowledged.”
Launched on International Women’s Day this year, Million Amazing Women aspires to document stories of one million women across 195 countries. It aims to build an inclusive, cross-cultural narrative of womanhood — bringing to the forefront everyday tales of courage, perseverance, and contribution.
The initiative’s first episode featured Rajmata Shubhangi Devi Gaekwad of Baroda, filmed within the opulent Lakshmi Vilas Palace. Since then, the team has chronicled over 400 stories, many from tribal women in Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sitarama Raju district. The next phase will move to northern India, followed by international coverage in the coming years.
Through portraits, video testimonials, and written narratives, the project has already become a repository of untold female experiences — from agricultural labourers and tribal elders to social reformers and community organisers. These accounts are being digitally archived on the Million Amazing Women platform.
Among those supporting the initiative is Bootu Srinivasa Rao, a Visakhapatnam-based community leader. “Each woman has a story that matters,” he said. “Bharadwaj is giving these voices a global stage.”
The project is currently entirely self-funded. Dayala has invested personal resources into the endeavour, including the design and deployment of a custom vehicle to traverse remote regions. The timeline for completion is estimated at 10 to 12 years.
“This is more than a documentary series,” Dayala affirms. “It is a global movement — one that seeks to honour the courage, contribution, and dignity of women everywhere.”At a time when everyday heroism often goes unrecognised, Million Amazing Women is a call to remembrance — a reminder that the nurturing hands which shape families also shape societies.
