Filmmaker Ankit Sakhiya’s Gujarati movie Laalo – Krishna Sada Sahaayate became a surprise blockbuster after it was released during Diwali last year. The film is now released in Hindi. It sees Shruhad Goswami essay the role of Lord Krishna. The actor got talking about his experience and more in an interview with us.

Shruhad Goswami on playing Lord Krishna in Laalo, "People are touching my feet, their gaze is such that they cry"

Shruhad Goswami on playing Lord Krishna in Laalo, “People are touching my feet, their gaze is such that they cry”

Was it difficult playing Lord Krishna in Laalo: KrishnaSadaSahayate?
Definitely it was difficult because Krishna Bhagwan’s character is a very responsible character. In the beginning, I was afraid that if I did something wrong, I could hurt the feelings of many people. I told Ankit that I won’t be able to do it. But somehow, it came to me that I have to do it. I took the responsibility and surrendered that I will do it well. It was definitely difficult.

Are you a Krishna bhakt in real life?
In real life, I am a Krishna devotee. After seeing the miracle that is our film I am more of a devotee. We had already made a collective call that if God comes into the film, He will come in a way that until He says that I am God, we won’t know that He is God. Because in our lives, it must have happened that a person comes and helps us in any way and we don’t know who that person was. Who knows, he might be God. So, it was director Ankit Sakhiya’s, my and the whole team’s call that when God arrives in the film, He will come like a friend. That’s why we have shown God in the film in this way.

How did this offer come your way?
Like I said, at that time, there was no work. There was no work, so definitely, I said yes, I have to do it. But when I slowly understood that he is a very responsible character, I was nervous and scared in the beginning. But slowly, everything got better. I gained confidence. And during the shooting, I also experienced a lot that God is really helping us. After that, there was no fear. And God took control of everything. So, I surrendered.

What did you think of other actors who have played God?
I have seen Akshay Kumar and NitishBharadwaj ji. They have played the role of Lord Krishna. And they have done very well. But we have shown a vulnerable God. We sometimes wonder God listens to us or not. When will he see us? But we don’t know that he is breaking the wall for us from the front. He loves us. He is also sad in our sorrows. And he is always with us. So, we have tried to show this vulnerable side of God in this film. And the language is also of Saurashtra, the language ofDwarkadhish. There is the palace of God. God used to live there in Dwarka. So, we have portrayed the character with the same language and emotion.

What is the secret of the film’s success?
I think the biggest reason for Laalo to run is the connectivity. People feel that they are Laalo only. Some people are trapped in some house or in their mind. Some people are trapped in some way or the other. And they also feel that God should come and talk to them. And when they see on the screen that God comes and talks to them, and God doesn’t talk to us, but God is always with us. And everyone becomes Laalo. So, people feel that the film is theirs. And mouth to mouth publicity. And people have appreciated the film. And people have made the blockbuster film on their shoulders. Thanks to the Gujarati audience, which has taken this Gujarati film to this level.

Are you open to playing God in more films?
I would definitely prefer that the story should be good. What message is being conveyed? There was a very good message in our film. We have portrayed it with a lot of subtlety and connectivity. So, if such a script comes in the future, then definitely we will do it. Why not? If a good message is being conveyed to people, then people are forced to think about what they are doing in life. A lot of lives have changed after Laalo. A lot of people are coming and meeting us. People have started knowing us all.

And people are coming and touching my feet. Maybe they have been meeting God for years. Maybe through me, they are feeling that they have met God. They feel that I have played the character of God. So, maybe I have gone closer to God. And they have faith in me. And through that faith, people come and meet me. They share their feelings. They cry. And they are light-hearted. So, as Shruhad, it’s difficult because I am 26. And someone of my age comes and touches my feet. And their gaze is such that they are watching and they cry. So, I am still processing all this love and reverence.

It must very difficult for you
How to understand all this? How to respond to this? The least I can do is listen to them. I listen to them. I empathize with them. I try to live with them in the way they come to me. Because I have been given responsibility. To live with them. To listen to them. All this is in my responsibility. So, I am doing that. And the love and respect that I am getting, I am definitely receiving it and I am feeling very good. I am very happy. And let’s see what happens in the future.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Shruhad Goswami on playing Lord Krishna in Laalo, “I had to ensure I don’t hurt people’s sentiments”; also says that he is “unable to believe” what he did in the film

Tags : Ankit Sakhiya, Bollywood Features, Features, Gujarati, Gujarati Cinema, Gujarati movie, Interview, Karan Joshi, Laalo, Laalo – Krishna Sada Sahaayate, Lord Krishna, Shruhad Goswami