Actress Bhagyashree, renowned for her debut in Maine Pyar Kiya, recently opened up about her profound spiritual connection with the ancient city of Varanasi. During a conversation held on the banks of the River Ganga, amidst the vibrant activity of the ghats, she expressed a unique sense of tranquility that the city offers her.
The Spiritual Pull and Culinary Delights of Banaras
Bhagyashree, who has visited Varanasi multiple times, stated that each visit brings her greater peace. "Despite the crowds, the mind feels less chaotic here," she revealed. She feels a deeper connection with herself in Varanasi than anywhere else, attributing it to the city's inherent magic. Alongside her spiritual pursuits, which included darshan at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and attending the Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, the actress made sure to indulge in the local cuisine.
A self-proclaimed foodie who runs an online food channel, Bhagyashree holds Banarasi street food in high regard. "Banaras ka khana is always at the top of my bucket list," she exclaimed. She expressed particular interest in the winter delicacy maliayo, made from milk, wanting not just to taste it but to witness its labor-intensive preparation. Another dish that captured her palate was the Banarasi chana ghugari, which she now wishes to recreate at home.
On Cinema's Evolution and Advice for Her Children
With both her children, Abhimanyu and Avantika Dassani, now stepping into the world of acting, Bhagyashree reflected on the drastic changes in the film industry. She admits she seeks advice from them rather than dispensing it, as the craft has evolved towards a more normal and casual style compared to the heightened emotions of her early career. She pointed out the humongous competition today, balanced by diverse platforms like films, OTT, television, and stage.
However, she noted a significant shift: "The passion for acting has diminished." She believes very few contemporary actors are deeply involved in their craft, with many focused on fame and money. Her counsel to her children is clear: they must demarcate their true goals. "If you are here for fame and money, it would be very difficult to last... But if you are here for the passion and love of the craft, then only you will be able to last out," she advised.
Selective Roles, OTT Concerns, and Views on AI
Bhagyashree, who will be seen in the mega-project Raja Shivaji alongside stars like Riteish Deshmukh, Genelia Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, and Sanjay Dutt, is now selectively returning to acting as her children are grown. She is picky with roles, not wanting to disappoint the audience that has loved her for four decades. She seeks characters that resonate and leave an impact, regardless of screen time.
While interested in OTT platforms for their great storytelling and strong scripts, she expressed a caveat. "The problem with OTT is that some makers have started becoming very sexually explicit even when not needed," she said, stating she would avoid being associated with such content.
On the use of Artificial Intelligence in filmmaking, Bhagyashree welcomed it for large-scale enhancements, like in war or sci-fi films. However, for character-driven stories with soul, she is against its use. "It is the rawness of us humans when we perform that makes it beautiful," she concluded, advocating for the beauty of imperfection over AI-driven perfection.
