Krishna Bharadwaj: Male actors rarely get substantial roles on television

Unless you’re the young male lead, most male actors on television are often sidelined, reduced to delivering forgettable dialogues. However, Krishna Bharadwaj considers himself lucky to have landed the titular role in Tenali Rama 2.0. He says, “I feel fortunate, especially since male actors don’t get much to do on TV. But Tenali Rama gives me a real opportunity to showcase my talent.”

Does he feel the character has overshadowed his identity as an actor? He admits, “At times, it does bother me. I played a completely different role in Dhruv Tara, but it failed to make an impact on the ratings chart. Once an actor becomes strongly associated with a particular character, it’s tough for the audience to accept them in a different avatar. That’s exactly what I’m facing — I have yet to break out of Tenali Rama’s image.”

Despite his pride in the role, Krishna didn’t expect the character’s influence to linger this long. He shares, “I thought once my hair grew back, people would stop associating me with the role. But that didn’t happen. The image of Tenali Rama is so deeply ingrained in people’s minds that breaking free from it has been challenging.”

He recalls an eye-opening experience after the first season ended. “I wanted to transition to web series and met one of the biggest casting directors. In my mind, I was just another struggler seeking work. But the moment he recognised me as Tenali, I knew I wouldn’t get the opportunity. I’ve never thought of myself as a star or celebrity. Once a show ends, I go back to messaging people, letting them know I’m available for work. There’s no shame in that.”

He admits that navigating his career post-Tenali Rama was confusing. “Before this, I was doing small shows to earn a living. But after a hit show, you reach a certain benchmark, and I wasn’t sure how to approach people for work. By the time I figured it out, I was already back on TV, which delayed my shift to web and films.”

However, he is eager to explore the digital space. “Web series are rooted in realism, and I want to be in that space. Tenali Rama, despite being a period show, felt realistic because of the way we portrayed it. But web content is even more authentic, and I crave that as an actor. It will help me grow,” he concludes.