It was a scene straight out of a devotion-filled drama. An 80-year-old man, with eyes full of reverence, suddenly knelt before actor Vishal Karwal. He touched Vishal’s feet, bowing deeply in respect. This wasn’t just a fan moment; it was a profound act of faith. Vishal describes it as one of the most emotional and unforgettable experiences of his life. It happened in Baroda during a film shoot. The man and his family had recognized Vishal not as the actor, but as Lord Krishna himself. This unique connection Vishal shares with his audience is a testament to the roles he has played.
Vishal Karwal has become a familiar face on television, often stepping into the divine shoes of Lord Krishna. He’s played the role in popular shows like ‘Dwarkadheesh – Bhagwan Shree Krishna’, ‘Nagarjuna – Ek Yoddha’, ‘Dwarkadheesh Bhagwan Shree Krishna – Sarvkalasampanna’, and ‘Shri Tirupati Balaji’. Recently, on the occasion of Janmashtami, he shared his thoughts with Amar Ujala. He talked about the immense popularity these roles brought him and the deep personal impact they had.
He explained that playing Krishna was more than just acting. It profoundly changed his life and his way of thinking. He sees it as an experience that reshaped him from the inside out. He even feels a little guilty sometimes when people treat him as a deity, knowing he can’t fully give them the personal time they might wish for. Yet, he always tries to connect with fans and show them respect.
Playing a Divine Role
Vishal first portrayed Lord Krishna in the series ‘Dwarkadheesh – Bhagwan Shree Krishna’ back in 2011. This was his third fictional show, and he was just starting out in acting. Initially, it felt a bit tough. But soon, he began to really enjoy the process. He has since played Lord Krishna or Lord Vishnu many times, across different shows and occasions.
When he was first offered the Krishna role, he was incredibly excited. He said yes without any hesitation. Since childhood, he had a strong interest in acting and in playing characters like Krishna. He recalls performing annually from the age of four or five, sometimes as a demon, sometimes as Ram. So, when this opportunity came up, he jumped right into it.
At first, he wasn’t sure what to do or what was expected of him. But slowly, he began to grasp the process. He realized that his dialogues shouldn’t just be words. They needed to convey a human experience. This shift in his thinking made his acting much more natural.
A Life-Changing Journey
These roles have truly left a lasting mark on Vishal’s life. He also worked on shows like ‘Tirupati Balaji’ and other versions of ‘Dwarkadheesh’. During these experiences, he read and learned a lot about Krishna. For him, it wasn’t just an acting job. It was an experience that gave him a deeper understanding of life and spirituality. It has been a long and important journey, continuing since 2011.
This character brought a huge change to his life. It was special because they would shoot for 12 hours every day. This meant reading and understanding so many dialogues. In this process, you learn a great deal, even if you don’t fully get it at the start.
Every day, as Lord Krishna, you think about truth, humanity, relationships, and how to behave with people. Without even trying directly, all these ideas slowly become part of who you are. Vishal believes these roles deeply shaped his thinking, his understanding, and his entire personality.
– Photo: IMDB
– Photo: X
Janmashtami: Personal and Public
For Vishal, Janmashtami is simply the festival celebrating Lord Krishna’s birth. He admits he has never celebrated it on a grand scale himself. Right now, he is in Palampur, a small town in Himachal. There’s a small ISKCON temple nearby, and he often goes there to celebrate the festival. It’s a peaceful and personal way for him to remember God.
Growing up in Himachal, he didn’t see much excitement around Janmashtami. But when he got the chance to witness the celebrations in Mumbai, it was a completely different and unique experience. He feels that the celebrations in Maharashtra, and perhaps Gujarat, have a very special flavor. He hasn’t seen such enthusiasm anywhere else in his other experiences.
That day in Baroda, watching the elderly man, Vishal truly understood something. Their hard work as actors isn’t just for the screen. It also touches people’s hearts. This experience became a priceless part of his life.