Was So Touched by Their Faith in Me That I Immediately Agreed: Sandeep Mohan on Playing Vashisht in Kaamdhenu Gaumata

Actor Sandeep Mohan, known for his powerful performances in mythological dramas, is currently seen essaying the revered sage Vashisht in Kaamdhenu Gaumata, produced by Prem Sagar and Shiv Sagar under Sagar World Multimedia. While he had once hesitated to revisit the character, the trust placed in him by the legendary production house made him take the leap.

“I was taken aback when Shivji first offered me the role of Vashisht in Kaamdhenu,” Sandeep recalls. “I had already played Vashisht once in Siya Ke Ram on Star Plus — that role was iconic for me. I was initially reluctant to reprise it, so much so that I had even turned down an offer to portray Vashisht in Srimad Ramayana by Swastik Productions. But when Prem Sagarji personally called me and shared that he had envisaged this subject with me in mind since 2016, I was moved. I immediately said yes.”

For Sandeep, this was not just another acting job, but a spiritual and emotional commitment. “I was so touched by Premji and Shivji’s faith in me that I agreed without a second thought. I share a deep bond with them, and I knew that with Sagar Productions, I would not be wasted. They understand the essence of mythology and treat it with the respect it deserves.”

Preparation for such a layered, spiritual character required more than just memorizing lines. Sandeep went into a complete lifestyle shift to tune himself into Vashisht’s vibration. “The first step to playing a prehistoric character is to imbibe their frequency,” he explains. “Vashisht was the epitome of purity and wisdom, so to increase my saatvik quotient, I completely cut myself off from the outside world. I stayed in Laxmi Film City, Baroda, for 100 days — not stepping out of the studio once. I stopped watching films, news, even web shows. My conversations were minimal, and I switched my diet to fruits, vegetables, and coconut water. It was a total cleanse — body, mind, and soul.”

Even during this intense preparation, the production made sure he stayed connected with his roots. “On New Year’s Eve, Shivji arranged for my family to visit me, as my birthday falls on January 1. That moment meant so much to me — it balanced my personal and professional worlds and helped me stay grounded.”

Portraying Vashisht also came with its own unique acting challenges. “He is an exceptionally elevated soul. He doesn’t act or react like a normal human being of today. I had to use my imagination to embody someone who is subtler than subtle,” Sandeep says. “But at the same time, I had to make sure that my subtlety didn’t turn into coldness on screen. Director Rakesh Vyaasji kept reminding me to maintain that connection with the audience.”

There was even a moment on set that helped refine his performance further. “Premji once visited the set and told me that I wasn’t using my expressive eyes enough. That simple input transformed how I played the character. Now, I feel Vashisht speaks through his silences, through his gaze — and I think audiences will notice it.”

For Sandeep, this role is not just about acting but surrendering to the character. “I try to eat, breathe, and think like the person I’m playing. Distractions are kept to a minimum. With a character like Vashisht, the key is not to do too much — it’s about being. And believe me, that’s much harder than it sounds.”