‘I DIDN’T WANT TO PLAY KRISHNA AT FIRST’

TV’s Saurabh Pandey, however, believes that ‘at the end of everything, we do whatever God wants us to do’

Nitish Bharadwaj, Swapnil Joshi, Saurabh Raj Jain, Saurabh Pandey... several actors have had the fortune to turn their fans into devotees, as they played Lord Krishna on television.

On Janmashtami today, we speak to Pandey, whose Krishna avatar in the show, Suryaputra Karn, has given him memories for life, and his viewers a face to remember their favourite deity by. But here’s what — the actor shares that he was very close to turning down the role.

“When I received the [offer], at first, I didn’t want to do it. I am a devotee [of Lord Krishna] myself and I don’t consider myself as a pure soul who can even dare to portray him. So, for me, it was about portraying God and I was not sure about it. But at the end of everything, we do whatever god wants us to do. Finally, I did it in form of service to Lord Krishna, thinking that God needs his words,” says Saurabh.

The portrayal of Krishna became popular on the small screen with Nitish Bhardwaj as the Lord in Mahabharata, and Swwapnil Joshi in Shri Krishna.

Saurabh, too, watched the show[s] in his growing up years. “Watching Nitish ji on the TV was like a celebration and his portrayal would take everyone in a different world. I remember watching it and can never forget this one scene where he would show his grand Vishnuroop. It would give everyone goosebumps,” recalls the actor.

A fan-boy, Saurabh adds, “I have had the opportunity to meet him and I even went to see

his play, Chakravyuh. He is a very knowledgeable and an elevated soul.”

Portraying God onscreen can be an intimidating responsibility as fans tend to get emotionally attached to the character. Like many others, Saurabh, too, has had fans showering their love on him. A few incidents in particular remain close to his heart.

He narrates one: “My friend and his wife were expecting their first child and she was a big devotee of Lord Krishna. So, when she got to know that I am playing that role, she was very excited and watched my show. During her time of delivery, some complications happened and she requested the doctors to play soft Krishna bhajans in the operation theatre. She meditated to gather strength.”

When Saurabh met the couple a few months later in Iskcon temple, a revelation from them left the actor with goosebumps. “I got to know that the delivery happened smoothly. But [my friend’s wife] told me that since she had seen me as Krishna, while meditating she could only imagine me as Krishna. I was stumped. I couldn’t believe the way [the role] had affected the people. It was a beautiful experience,” he smiles.

I wasn’t sure about playing God... Finally, I did it in form of service to Lord Krishna, thinking that God needs his words. SAURABH PANDEY ACTOR