Must have done good karma in past life to receive such love, says Nitish Bharadwaj aka Krishna

The government of India has started telecasting a few old serials that were shown on Doordarshan in the 1980s so that people can spend their time in the lockdown. This also includes BR Chopra’s Mahabharat and Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan. Actor Nitish Bharadwaj, who is known for playing the role of Lord Krishna in Mahabharat phenomenally, is happy with the re-runs of both mythological serials. 

“I welcome the government’s decision to re-telecast Mahabharat and Ramayan because the lockdown period is the best period for family bonding and spending quality time with children,” said Bharadwaj in an exclusive conversation with Cinestaan.com. “One of the aspects of spending quality time [with them] is also imparting our family values and cultural heritage. Ramayan and Mahabharat are a part of India’s heritage and culture.” 

The actor feels this is a good opportunity for those who weren’t born when these serials were telecast or were too small. “For the new generation, this is a new opportunity to see a part of their cultural heritage which is world famous and been alive for thousands of years. So, there must be something about it. They should look at it from that perspective,” he said. 

Bharadwaj is still known for his act as Krishna. Over the decades, there have even been instances of people bowing down to him as if he is the real god, like actor Arun Govil who played Lord Ram in Ramayan. 

Reacting on this, Bharadwaj said, “I feel great, humbled, loved and respected. I feel the gratitude towards my Indian society. They have given me so much love and respect. It is very rare. I must have done some good karma in my past birth to have received all this.”

He added, “It also gives me a sense of responsibility that I must give them better and better creative projects in future. I am working on a few. Very soon we will announce one. But if I have to express my feelings towards the society who uphold me as Lord Krishna in one word, it will be gratitude.” 

Bharadwaj made his debut as a film director with Pitruroon (2013), which starred Sachin Khedekar in a double role and the veteran actress Tanuja. 

Bharadwaj went onto describe the difference between Ramayan and Mahabharat. “Ramayan teaches us to have restraint through Ram’s character,” he said. “Through Sita’s character it is her pativrata dharm [loyalty towards husband], samarpan [surrender] and commitment to a relationship. Hanuman ji stands for complete submission and seva bhaav [dedication to serve].”

Coming onto Mahabharat, he added, “It teaches you how to deal with life. So, it is a mirror of life. It teaches us how to deal with all sorts of people in the world that we meet. [About] their power-struggle, greed, deceit, cheating, unfairness, injustice and still uphold Dharma [righteousness]. It teaches a new definition of Dharma in today’s environment of extremism.” 

A lot of people mistake the word ‘dharma’ with religion. Bharadwaj touched onto that as well. “Dharma is not religion. It’s a sense of duty. Duty as a king, brother, mother, father, towards the society and nation. Mahabharat is like vishwaroop darshan [seeing the entire world in god] itself. It’s a mirror of life,” he said. 

Mahabharat was produced by BR Chopra, directed by his son Ravi Chopra and written by Rahi Masoom Raza. Bharadwaj gives a large amount of credit to Raza for the serial to receive such a status. “Mahabharat was so phenomenally written. The dialogues by Rahi Masoon Raza in my view are immortal. They give you an insight of the art of living in kalyug [the dark age],” he said. 

Bharadwaj recently acted in the Marathi web-series Samantar, which started streaming earlier this month. Over the last few years he has been acting in the Hindi play Chakravyuh where he has reprised his role as Krishna.