Rajniesh Duggall, who has been a part of films like 1920, Wajah Tum Ho, Dangerous Ishq, and Saira Khan Case, among others, played the role of Shri Krishna in Shrimad Bhagwat Mahapuran. In the latest episode of The Vedas Speak, a podcast hosted by Dr. Sammeer Arora and produced by Ajinkya Jadhav’s Paparazzi Entertainment, the actor shared that although he initially had apprehensions about taking up the role, he ultimately agreed to do it as a tribute to his parents, who are devotees of Krishna.
He said, “It was between 2018 and 2019 when Nikhil Dwivedi, the producer, called me and said that he was making a show for Colors and that he wanted me to play Krishnaji. So I asked, ‘Why me?’ He said, ‘We’ve tested and met a lot of people, but whenever I see your face, I see a calm aura. So I feel that you can play it really well.’ I asked him to give me a day. During that time, my parents had already shifted to Vrindavan, and they were Krishna devotees. So I called them up, and while talking to them, I realized that this opportunity had come to me on its own. People give materialistic things to their parents, while I was getting a chance to play Krishna. What bigger gift could I give my parents than that?”
“I called Nikhil immediately to tell him that I was doing it. Whatever the preparation is, let’s start. At that time, my father was not well; he was undergoing dialysis. So I used to keep sending him BTS from the set, like pictures of me in my avatar as Krishnaji with my crown next to me. There were pigeons and rabbits on the set, and he would laugh seeing them. It made him really happy,” he added.
The entire show was supposed to be shot before it went on air, and unfortunately, Rajniesh’s father passed away before that happened.
“I was aware that his health was deteriorating day by day. But he would still keep pepping me up, saying, ‘I’m looking forward to your show. I’m waiting for it.’ And that remains with me. I wish he had seen it, but I guess he saw it from there,” he said.
Host Dr. Sammeer comforted him by saying, “Krishnaji must have decided that your father should come to him, and that you would be playing Lord Krishna for him. I am sure that would have been the case.”
After completing his father’s last rites, Rajniesh returned to Mumbai, where he witnessed a divine vision. He shared, “I went for a jog to clear my mind. I was sweating and went to a corner of a park and sat there. Just as I closed my eyes, I saw Krishnaji and Radharani in Seva Kunj. Then I saw my dad in a healthy, radiant state. He had a vibrant smile and was cleaning Krishnaji’s feet in a thali. He turned back, looked at me, and smiled.
“When I saw that, I was laughing with tears in my eyes. Like you said, maybe he watched that show with Krishnaji. He went where he had to go,” Rajniesh added.
