Akshay Nalawade: Playing a Sanatani character carries great responsibility

Akshay Nalawade is seen as Garud Dev in Shiv Shakti: Tap Tyaag Taandav and Kakbhushundi Ramayan and calls himself fortunate that he is able to play a character who is a divine symbol of strength, devotion, and loyalty toward Vishnu Dev. Asked what kind of preparation he did for the role, he said, “To begin with, I started reading the Bhagavad Gita to ensure correct pronunciation and deepen my understanding. I didn’t want to make any mistakes while performing something so spiritually significant.” “Physically, I followed a rigorous workout regime—not to bulk up too much, but to stay fit, agile, and graceful. It was important to maintain a body language that carried control and presence. Lastly, I practiced the mannerisms—how the character walks, talks, sits, smiles, and even flies. I studied and researched every aspect in detail and incorporated those nuances into my performance,” he added. Akshay agrees that playing a mythological character is challenging. He said, “Playing a Sanatani character carries great responsibility. It’s not just a role—it’s a representation of people’s faith and beliefs. They don’t just see a character; they see a Devta, someone they worship. Every gesture, every word, every expression becomes sacred. So yes, there’s a lot of pressure.” “But it’s also a huge honor. I constantly remind myself that I’m portraying someone of cultural and spiritual importance, and that brings a sense of deep responsibility to everything I do on screen,” he added. He reads the Bhagavad Gita daily and shared that he also referred to a few Puranic texts where Garud Dev’s stories are mentioned. “These helped me understand who he is—his role as Vishnu’s vaahan, his enmity with serpents, and his unwavering devotion. I also watched a few shows and performances—not to copy anyone, but just to observe the craft. I wanted to absorb the essence and then bring my own interpretation to the character,” Akshay shared.