In a development that has left social media users visibly overjoyed, the much-criticized and widely circulated cyber fraud awareness caller tune—voiced by none other than Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan—has finally been removed. For many, this announcement has come as a long-awaited relief, prompting humorous memes, jokes, and expressions of exaggerated happiness across platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Reddit.
The Caller Tune Everyone Knew (and Many Wanted Gone)
For months—some claim it felt like years—mobile users in India have been greeted by Amitabh Bachchan’s baritone voice warning them about the dangers of cyber fraud every time they dialed a number. While the intent behind the message was undoubtedly noble, its repetitive nature turned it into a subject of nationwide annoyance.
The message, which began with “Namaskar, main Amitabh Bachchan bol raha hoon…” and went on to inform users about staying cautious against digital scams, was part of a government-led initiative to raise cyber safety awareness. However, after endless repetitions, the message lost its intended urgency and became a source of comic frustration.
A Social Media Meltdown — In a Good Way
The news of the caller tune being taken down sparked a virtual celebration. Hashtags like #CallerTuneGone and #BachchanTuneNoMore began trending, with netizens describing the moment as “freedom from auditory captivity.” One user cheekily posted, “Aaj asli azaadi mili hai. Caller tune gayi!” Another wrote, “Itni khushi aaj tak nahi mili, jaise engineering ka result clear ho gaya ho.”
Meme pages had a field day with the announcement. Several recreated the iconic “Sholay” scenes with Gabbar Singh exclaiming in disbelief over the missing voice, while others edited Bachchan’s own film clips to show him “retiring” from public service announcements.
Why Was It Removed?
Though there has been no official press release yet from the government or telecom authorities, sources suggest that the decision was made after growing feedback and user complaints. The message, which was introduced during the pandemic and later repurposed for cyber fraud awareness, had clearly overstayed its welcome.
Industry insiders also hinted that the caller tune was originally supposed to be a temporary campaign, extended multiple times due to rising digital crime statistics. But public fatigue eventually forced stakeholders to reconsider its presence on every call made within the country.
An Admirable Message, But Poor Execution?
Despite the backlash, it’s worth noting that the message did serve a purpose. Cybercrime has been on the rise in India, and using a familiar and authoritative voice like that of Amitabh Bachchan was meant to make people take the warnings seriously. However, the frequency and lack of an opt-out option made it more of a nuisance than a public service message for many.
Digital safety experts and communications analysts believe that future campaigns should adopt a more dynamic approach—perhaps with rotating messages, different voices, or giving users the option to listen or skip.
What’s Next?
There’s now curiosity about what will replace the long-standing caller tune. Will another celebrity step in? Will there be a new theme? Or will silence finally return before every call?
For now, though, the Internet is simply basking in the joy of uninterrupted calling. The moment has unexpectedly united users across regions, age groups, and even telecom networks in shared delight.
As one user summed it up: “Not all heroes wear capes. Whoever removed that caller tune deserves a national award.”
Indeed, sometimes, the smallest silences bring the loudest celebrations.
