Actor Basant Bhatt, best known for his powerful portrayals of mythological characters on Hindi television, has carved a distinct space for himself with roles that demand both physicality and depth. He was seen as Lakshman in Shrimad Ramayan, Balram in RadhaKrishn, Kartikeya in Vighnaharta Ganesh, and the younger Karn in Suryaputra Karn. Basant made his debut in Hindi television with the role of Varun in the episodic crime thriller Arjun.
Known for bringing quiet intensity to larger-than-life characters, the actor now opens up about the process behind his performances and the realities of working in the fast-paced TV format.
On delivering emotional scenes. He says, “Emotional scenes are one of the toughest things to deliver as an actor, especially if you don’t truly know your character.”
He continues, “Fortunately, my journey as an actor has taught me how to learn, understand, accept, and become friends with the character before I step into their world. I try to build a real connection with them, so that when the camera rolls I’m not just performing. I’m actually living in their shoes and reacting honestly to what’s happening around me. In those moments, it barely feels like acting. It feels like a genuine response.”
On the challenges of TV and his on-set ritual. He adds, “The biggest challenge I face is with the TV format. The pace is very fast, and there’s often a lack of time and space to fully prepare. There are distractions on set, limited time to rehearse, and you have to switch into very heavy emotions very quickly. But over time I’ve learned to cope with that and to give my best within the circumstances I’m given.”
“Of course, my work is appreciated most of the time, and I’m grateful for that. But sometimes it’s disappointing to know that with a little more focus and prep time, I could have delivered something even truer, something that was closer to the best version of that scene,” tells the actor
Despite the rush of daily TV, he’s proof that preparation and empathy can still create performances that connect. And that’s exactly what keeps audiences coming back to see him as the gods and warriors they grew up watching.
