22 June,2026 05:57 PM IST | Mumbai | Shruti Sampat
Siddharth Gupta (Pictures via Instagram)
Actor Siddharth Gupta is currently winning appreciation for portraying Lord Krishna in Krishnavtaram. In an exclusive conversation with mid-day, the actor reflected on landing the role, preparing for the mythological character, the life lessons he learnt from the Bhagavad Gita, and the career setback that almost made him quit acting.
Speaking about being cast as Lord Krishna, Siddharth admitted that years of struggles had made him expect disappointment before success.
"The kind of journey I have had with so many ups and downs, the first thing I think is negative before even seeing its positive side," he shared. Even after receiving encouraging feedback for his audition, he remained doubtful. "Sir had said that he would let me know in two-three days and I knew he had liked my audition for Krishna, but I still felt I might not get the part. Maybe I did some mistake."
The actor believes that not fully understanding the magnitude of the role initially worked in his favour. "At the time when I got this, probably I did not know the gravity of what I was playing. And that really helped me as an actor. Not knowing."
As preparations began, Siddharth gradually developed a deeper connection with the character. "When the preparation started, I started getting closer to Krishna. And that eventually reflected on screen."
Interestingly, he chose not to study performances by actors who had previously portrayed Lord Krishna. Instead, his preparation focused on understanding the deity himself. "I had not seen any reference or any other actor playing it. Before sleeping, I would read for two hours or watch podcasts and discussions about him. Then through the day we used to have workshops."
According to Siddharth, consistent preparation helped him overcome his fears. "The more I prepared, the less scared I was to play him. There comes a point when you have to just let go and let it flow. I think that's what happened eventually." The role also had a profound spiritual impact on him. "If you play a role in this process, Krishnaji comes close to you. And once he holds your hand, he does not leave."
For the film, Siddharth was given translations of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and several other texts to study. During this process, he discovered a fresh perspective on the sacred scripture. "One thing I noticed while preparing for this film was that the Gita is not preachy. It is a way of life. It is the essence of life. It teaches you how to live life," he said.
The actor even described the text as a powerful guide for mental well-being. "If you read it properly and understand it, it is better than any therapist." One teaching that particularly resonated with him was the concept of destiny. "If you have done everything right in your life, if you have done the controllables right, sometimes the result is not in your favour. That is called destiny."
Siddharth also spoke candidly about the biggest setback of his career. "I have a very thick skin. That's why I used to think something would go wrong because of experience," he said. Recalling a missed opportunity, he revealed, "There was one project. I was with someone for three years and that thing did not happen. That was the biggest setback in my life."
The disappointment affected him deeply. "Just before this project, I took a one-year hiatus to re-evaluate my acting and whether I wanted to continue this journey." During the break, he gained weight and questioned his future in the industry. However, his family stepped in to motivate him. "My family intervened and reminded me that I am the one who has done something good." Determined to give acting another chance, Siddharth worked on himself and returned to auditions. "Then I lost weight, and the first audition I gave was this one," he said, referring to Krishnavtaram.
Today, looking back on his journey, Siddharth says he has emerged stronger and more optimistic. "Now I am very positive in my life," he concluded, crediting both his personal experiences and the wisdom of Lord Krishna for helping him navigate challenges and embrace new opportunities.
