Sumedh Mudgalkar Reflects on Ego and Gratitude Amidst Janmashtami Celebrations |

For Sumedh Mudgalkar, Janmashtami (September 4) is more than just one of the country’s biggest festivals. It is also a time for reflection, gratitude and reconnecting with the deity he once portrayed on screen. The actor, who played Lord Krishna in RadhaKrishn, says his relationship with Janmashtami has evolved over the years. “When I was a kid, there used to be a dahi handi in our society. It was very small, but at that time, it was enough of a risk for me,” he recalls. While he participated in the celebrations as a child, Sumedh says he now prefers leaving the actual handi-breaking to the professionals. “I love seeing the huge groups and the kind of practice they put in. But in real life, you really need to be prepared because otherwise it can cause harm to you and others,” he says.Having played Krishna for four years, the character has also shaped his outlook on life. “Now, my perspective has become a little more internal. I sit with gratitude and thank him for whatever he has given me, and try to understand what he wants me to do ahead,” he shares. One of the biggest lessons Sumedh says he has learnt from playing Krishna is learning to let go of ego. “There is one place where I cannot go, and that is ego. It is never about saying, ‘I made this’ or ‘I did it’, because I realise that many things are out of our control. There are blessings and there is a larger plan going on all the time,” he says, and adds, “Of course, when people look at me in a certain way, it feels good. But after that, I disconnect from the thought because I know the truth. I had a script, I was performing under a director and I was wearing those costumes. I am just a 29-year-old boy.”So, does he miss playing Krishna? “I played the character for four years and went as deep as I could while I was doing it. But my inclination now is towards doing different things. Even playing Krishna was different for me because before that I had done negative characters. I experimented as an actor and challenged myself, and that is something I want to continue throughout my life.”