Importance of being earnest!

Circa 2007! As a young nosey entertainment reporter, I would often call Yaseen, who was Shah Rukh Khan’s shadow [read: personal bodyguard] at that time. I would call him with an intention of getting a tip about SRK’s whereabouts. And every time this otherwise serene looking man would give me royal snub. Eventually he stopped taking my calls.

The age of social media journalism had not begun yet. HT City and Delhi Times were the essential sources of entertainment news and gossip. I was the entertainment reporter with HT City, who had fast moved from being a cub-scribe to that jet-setting correspondent, who would be frequently flying to the city of action – Mumbai.

Being in Mumbai meant closer proximity to much-coveted entourage of our Khans and Kapoors. While most of the make-up artists, security staff and man Fridays would assume themselves mightier than the actor/star they worked for, there was this 6’3” handsome & bald guy, who would stay tight-lipped with an uncanny calmness on his face.

Cut to year 2012. I received a call from the same Yaseen, but a lot had changed. He had made up his mind to go back to his native village down south, to be with his elderly parents and do the duties of a son.

As I saw his number flashing on my phone screen, I was immediately excited. I was a new mom and a freelance journalist at that time. And such call meant a shot in dopamine levels that any new mom is in dire need of, all the time. From the world of nappies this could have been a pleasant shift to yet another story on page 1 of my favourite HT City. But to my dismay this was not about SRK, but Yaseen himself and the decade of his life he had spent protecting him 24X7. As I manoeuvred myself to a quiet place, yeah that is how you talk to an important informer, Yaseen asked in his baritone, “Haanji Princyji, Kaisi hain aap,?”

We spoke for more than half an hour. The conversation hovered around  everything that surrounded his mindscape at that time. But nothing about his ex-boss SRK. Over the years a lot had changed, but not his principles. He was still as honest to his duty  which was to guard his boss from every evil.  He shared his plans of moving back to his native village. We discussed the challenges that he could anticipate in settling back in his new life. I remeber, telling him that the whole idea seems easier, than done. “My parents need me right now. My formost duty is that of taking care of my parents. I can’t progress in career at the cost my parents wellbeing and happiness. I must go.”  

But the wanderer in him wasn’t at peace still. After spending four years in his village he returned again to Mumbai, with a plan of starting his own security agency – YK Prosec. His dreams were bigger and intention as solemn. And the goodwill he had earned during his years with SRK, had earned him huge respect among the film & media fraternity. He soon started getting assignments for arranging security at award functions, press meets and other events.

Finally!  Year 2019 – And the otherwise reticent man, agreed to meet for our long pending chat. And this time the topic of our chat was how did he make YK Prosec the most coveted security agency of Mumbai today.

After all, Yaseen’s company has been the preferred choice across all the big-ticket events of 2018-2019. This includes four of cricketers wedding – like Virat Sharma, Yuvraj Singh, Krunal Pandya & Bhubaneshwar Kumar. Even the multi-events high security shaadis like that of Priyanka chopra & Nick Jonas and Ranveer Singh & Deepika Padukone, were also managed by #Team YK. He even managed the film fraternity at both the Ambani weddings. Celebrities like Deepika Padukone, Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma, Sachin Tendulkar, AB Devillers prefer his presence for their personal security.

So, what has made YK Prosec the most trusted security agency. “There are many factors. Our job is to ensure that the event takes place seamlessly. And for that we need well trained team, one that is smart and alert. If one thinks about body guards, an image of rugged personnel will come. Some one who can be rude and difficult. Where as in my team, the boys are smart, well-trained to do their job and they are well mannered, and well spoken too. We make sure that we are dressed in smart suits and extremly presentable. It makes a difference when a guest is escorted by strong but smart looking bodyguard.”

I asked him about his ex-boss SRK and his learnings from those days and he started, “my father knew one of SRK’s maternal aunt. So, I came to Mumbai with that reference letter. I hung around his house and studio for some days. But eventually gave up as I used to be shy and feel awkward. Also, the money that I had borrowed from parents was getting over and I needed a job to sustain myself in this city. So, I took up job with a security agency and got posted at one of the popular clubs in Bandra. One day I happen to help a gentleman, who later introduced himself as SRK’s doctor. He asked me my reason of being in this city, and I said, I have come to meet SRK and I have a letter too. He later arranged a meeting for me with SRK. As soon as we met, Boss was like, “tu mila kyun nahiin mujse. Kahaan rehta hai. Ek kaam kar, apna samaan lekar ghar aa janaa. Soon I was part of his most trusted clique. My job actually started with his son Aryan’s security. I used to train him in martial arts too”

“I learnt patience and hard work during ten years of my job with SRK, and it helps me till today!” Yaseen had some interesting anecdotes to share from the Virat Kohli’s Mumbai reception. “One of the biggest challenge that we face at such events are the gate crashers. There are certain groups which function in a very planned manner. They would come to the venue in luxury car wearing designer outfits. We spotted one such guy at Virat Sir’s wedding. The man was so smart he could manage to fool the verification at the entrance desk. Soon, I spotted him standing all by himself. He initially tried fool us by calling names, but then we could throw him out.”

I asked him what next? “I wish to keep on doing good work and expand my company with advanced security solutions.”

Interestingly, Yaseen has a huge faith in the goodness of his religion. “During our childhood, my mother would preach us significance of goodness and truthfulness as suggested in Islam. Till date, I believe in the power of being earnest and faithful to my work and the people I work with and work for. And I feel, it has paid me very well.”

We at thepeoplebazaar.com salute such spirit. All the best to #teamYK

-Princy Jain