Click it and Unblock the Notifications
Hastinapur Ke Veer EXCLUSIVE! Manish Wadhwa Reveals Why Playing Bhishma Pitamah Is A Dream Role
Hastinapur Ke Veer: If I could give an award for the show of the year, I would happily give it to Hastinapur Ke Veer and the entire cast of the mythological drama. There's one character and actor who has managed to win my and the audience's hearts. There's no prize for guessing that I am talking about Manish Wadhwa.
Manish Wadhwa is known for playing roles with remarkable conviction. As he stepped into the role of Bhishma Pitamah, he showcased his acting prowess once again.
In an exclusive conversation with Filmibeat Assistant Editor Abhishek Ranjit, Manish Wadhwa opened up about what drew him to the role, his preparation for portraying Bhishma Pitamah, and a lot more.
Here are excerpts from the interview-
Q. Bhishma Pitamah is one of the most revered and iconic figures from the Mahabharata. What was your reaction when you were first approached for the role?
Manish Wadhwa: The first feeling was happiness. I felt God was being very kind to me because opportunities like this don't come very often. Bhishma Pitamah is a character every actor knows and respects. When I was offered the role, I immediately felt that it would be a wonderful experience to step into the shoes of someone who has such an important place in our mythology. As an actor, you always look for roles that leave an impact, and Bhishma Pitamah is certainly one of them.
Q. Over the years, you have portrayed several mythological and historical characters, each with a distinct personality. How did you approach bringing Bhishma Pitamah to life in Hastinapur Ke Veer?
Manish Wadhwa: Whenever I play a character, I try to understand how that person thinks and sees the world. With Bhishma Pitamah, I focused on his sense of responsibility towards Hastinapur and the children growing up around him. He is a man who carries a lot on his shoulders, but at the same time, he has a lot of love and concern for his family. I wanted to bring out both these sides in my performance.
Q. Since Hastinapur Ke Veer explores the formative years of the Pandavas and Kauravas, what aspects of Bhishma's personality will audiences get to discover through this story?
Manish Wadhwa: What I like most about this story is that it allows viewers to see Bhishma Pitamah in a different light. People know him as a strong, disciplined and respected elder, but here they will also see how deeply invested he is in the upbringing of the Pandavas and Kauravas. He watches over them, worries for them and constantly tries to guide them. That caring and protective side of Bhishma comes out beautifully in the show.
Q. Your entry as Bhishma Pitamah has left a strong impression on viewers. How did you work on creating the commanding yet graceful presence associated with the character?
Manish Wadhwa: First of all, thank you so much to everyone for the love you're giving to Bhishma Pitamah. It feels wonderful to see the audience connecting with the character.
Bhishma Pitamah is such a powerful and positive personality. His vow, his unwavering commitment to the throne of Hastinapur, his wisdom, grace and compassion are what make him truly extraordinary. At the same time, he has an unmatched aura and authority-people listen to him, respect him and trust his words.
As an actor, portraying a character with so many layers is both exciting and deeply fulfilling. I believe the only way to do justice to such a role is to approach it with complete honesty. When you perform with sincerity and immerse yourself in the character, those qualities naturally reflect in your performance.
Q. You share a wonderful bond with the younger cast members on set. What advice do you often give them, both as aspiring actors and as individuals?
Manish Wadhwa: The advice I give them is very simple. Work hard, stay disciplined and never stop learning. At the same time, enjoy your childhood and enjoy the process of acting.
I always tell them that a character is something you play, not something you become. Give your best when the camera is on, but once the shot is over, go back to being yourself. I think that balance is very important-to be yourself and to be able to do something new every time you perform a new character.
Q. Hastinapur Ke Veer revolves around the upbringing of the Pandavas and Kauravas. As someone portraying Bhishma Pitamah and also a father in real life, what are your thoughts on parenting and the role it plays in shaping a child's future?
Manish Wadhwa: One of the biggest lessons I've learned from Bhishma Pitamah is that, as parents, we need to listen to our children before we try to guide them. Too often, we impose our views instead of understanding theirs.
What Hastinapur Ke Veer beautifully shows is that the Kauravas and Pandavas receive the same values, the same education and the same love-without any bias. Yet their choices and the influences around them shape very different journeys.
That's a powerful reminder for parents today. We can't control everything, but we can stay involved, understand what influences our children and help them choose the right path.
At the end of the day, before they become successful in their careers, it's far more important that they grow up to be good human beings. That's the message Sony SAB and Peninsula Pictures are trying to share through Hastinapur Ke Veer.
Continue with Google