Hrithik Roshan Playing Lord Shiva in Rajamouli’s ‘Varanasi’? Actors Who Played Mahadev on TV React (EXCLUSIVE)

There are reports that Hrithik Roshan will be debuting in Telugu cinema with SS Rajamouli’s magnum opus, “Varanasi,” in which he’ll play the role of Lord Shiva. Interestingly, Akshay Kumar played a messenger of Lord Shiva in Amit Rai’s critical and commercial hit, “Oh My God 2!”  Enthusiastic fans have already put the halo around Hrithik Roshan by using A.I. to transform him into divinity. Actor Ram Yashvardhan, who played the role of Lord Shiva in Siddharth Kumar Tewary’s “Shiv Shakti - Tap Tyaag Tandav,” gives a thumbs up to the idea of Hrithik as Lord Shiva. He says the actor’s Greek-God looks adds to the visual of divinity on screen.  He tells us, “Hrithik Roshan would be an awesome choice as Lord Shiva. He has the personality and is a gifted actor. I would love to see him in the role.”

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Ram Yashvardhan, who got immense appreciation for his performance as Lord Shiva in his mythological show that ran for two years, says, “Every actor comes with his or her own destiny. Everyone has their own journey. Also, SS Rajamouli must have his own vision if he sees Hrithik Roshan as Lord Shiva. He is one of the finest in India,” when asked if he’d have wanted to be part of an epic like “Varanasi.” 

Tarun Khanna has played Lord Shiva over a dozen times on Indian TV. He is known as the Mahadev of the small screen. Some of his outings include big-budget TV serials like “Karmaphaldata Shani,” “RadhaKrishn,” “Shrimad Ramayan,” to name a few. He was also Lord Shiva in Nandamuri Balakrishna’s “Akhanda 2," where his scene went viral. 

We asked him if film directors miss out on an existing fanbase when they do not cast actors like him who have proven themselves in the role. Variety India referred to the recent backlash against Ranbir Kapoor’s casting for “Ramayana.” 

Khanna says, “If you ask me, I believe that Rahul R Bhuchar, who plays Lord Ram in the play, 'Hamare Ram, ' is the best as Lord Rama. No one in India comes close, not even Ranbir Kapoor. I believe Mohit (Raina) is in “Ramayana” as Lord Shiva, and I have already been part of “Akhanda 2. Hrithik will, undoubtedly, make a fantastic Lord Shiva. SS Rajamouli is the finest Indian filmmaker in 75 years, and we should trust his decision.”