‘I am not a great thinker, but a simple Saadhak’
| Date :19-Jun-2023 |
By Amol Maokar
His personality is amazing. He comes out as charming, wise, and convincing as the Sri Krishna he played in ‘Mahabharat’. No wonder Nitish Bhardwaj was the central character of project ‘Mahabharat’, which became so popular in its times that top mediamen wondered if TV was going to take over the film industry. But, this personality wasn’t formed overnight, or not made-up for the audience after he got to play the role in the serial ‘Mahabharat’. Right from his early childhood, he had been training in languages -- Sanskrit, Hindi, Marathi, English; learing ‘Shrimad Bhagwadgeeta’ and ‘Dnyaneshwari’; taking lessons in acting; long before he was considered for the role. “My father and grandfather taught me Sanskrit from the age of four; my mother taught me ‘Geeta’ and ‘Dnyaneshwari’; and a turbulent life allowed me to practise the philosophy I learnt,” he begins. “Turbulent life can make you either very angry and bitter, or spiritual; I am the latter,” he adds quickly, during the course of conversation with the ‘The Hitavada’.
That is the reason why he surprises with his reply to even the most usual question like: “Did playing Krishna lead to any changes in your personal life? Or, did your knowledge from personal life bring anything to the role?” The latter, he says. “My personal life has been a roller-coaster ride, which allowed me to draw strength from my spirituality and keep fighting difficult situations.” So, he was already living the lessons he taught on screen as a ‘Geeta’ sayer when he was chosen for the role. The actor had been off the screen for a while now, but he hadn’t stopped working. Behind the scenes, the work was on. “Since the release of my directorial debut ‘Pitruroon’ in 2013, I completed writing three Hindi screenplays, which are at different stages of discussion with producers now, and I am hoping to direct my second film soon, which would be in Hindi,” he reveals.
As a person of spirituality, are there any plans to start an activity to systematically impart his spiritual knowledge to the younger generations through particular programmes or workshops? To this question, he replies, “I may think of this at a little later stage of life. Right now, I have around five subjects to be made into films in the next few years. So, for now, my complete focus is film-making and acting in a few challenging roles which will be offered to me.”
Nitish Bhardwaj acted in quite a few Hindi and Marathi movies, after ‘Mahabharat’. Then, he appeared on the political stage. Now, he comes across as a thinker and orator and a director with difference. Has all this diverse experience made any difference? “Overcoming difficulties of life with the help of spirituality has matured me. Research for my screenplays exposed me to inspiring heroes of Indian history from whom I draw my inspiration to fight my life battles and share this knowledge with people,” he explains. However, he quickly adds, “I do not consider myself a great thinker. I am a simple ‘Saadhak’ who speaks from his heart.” Saints say, to understand Lord Krishna, one has to become Krishna. Nitish Bhardwaj has followed that in letter and spirit. He was building himself up towards becoming Krishna throughout his childhood and youth, though unknowingly; he became Krishna on screen, and has remained Krishna ever since.