I Wasn't Even The Last Choice: Shobhinaw Satyaa On Bagging Babaji Role In Hanuman Ansh

Shobhinaw Satyaa opens up about his unexpected journey from assistant director to playing Babaji in Hanuman Ansh. In a candid conversation on Baatein Dil Se with Navika Kumar, he reveals how his acting guru and faith shaped this opportunity.

Actor Shobhinaw Satyaa's journey to playing Babaji in Hanuman Ansh was far from conventional. Having initially worked as an assistant director on the film, he never imagined that he would eventually step in front of the camera to portray its central character. In a candid conversation with Times Group Editor-in-Chief Navika Kumar on Baatein Dil Se, Shobhinaw opened up about how the opportunity came his way, the role his first acting guru played in shaping his career and the unexpected circumstances that led to his casting. He also reflected on his spiritual connection with Babaji and the experiences that shaped his performance.

Shobhinaw Satyaa Had Always Wanted To Play Babaji

Shobhinaw Satyaa's journey to playing Babaji in Hanuman Ansh began with a wish he had casually expressed during the film's pre-production. While working as an assistant director, he found himself increasingly drawn to the character and even imagined playing the spiritual figure on screen.

During a conversation on Baatein Dil Se with Times Group Editor-in-Chief Navika Kumar, Shobhinaw recalled how he would often discuss his wish during post-lunch walks around the office with the film's First Assistant Director, Shubham Somu, and another team member, Rishi. Explaining why people associated his appearance with Babaji, he said, "I had shaved my head following my uncle's death. I had a moustache but no beard, along with a long shikha. So people would often associate my look with Babaji. When I first entered the office, even our director remarked, 'He looks just like Babaji!'"

He added that these comments gradually made him wish he could portray the character. He had also shared this desire with his mentor, little knowing that the wish would eventually turn into reality. Interestingly, Shobhinaw's acting mentor was none other than Shubham Somu, the film's First Assistant Director, who eventually helped him become a part of the project. Crediting him for shaping his acting abilities, Shobhinaw revealed how much he owed his mentor for his understanding of the craft.

He said, "He was my first acting guru. He taught me the basics of acting, and almost 80 per cent of what I know about acting today comes from him. He has also guided me at various stages of my life." He further explained how the same mentor became instrumental in bringing him into Hanuman Ansh. "It was through him that I got this film. Under his influence, I became a part of the project and got to act in it," he added.

Shobhinaw Satyaa Wanted To Pursue Writing And Direction, Not Acting

Although he had expressed his wish to play Babaji, Shobhinaw revealed that acting was not what he had originally envisioned for himself. His interests lay in writing and direction, and he was more comfortable working behind the camera. Recalling his mindset, he said, "The person I was back in 2016 had a different mindset. I had moved towards writing and direction, and the director's soul within me was always present. I preferred being behind the camera. I was shy about facing it and felt that the farther I stayed from it, the better."

However, his acting guru had a different vision for him and repeatedly encouraged him to explore acting.

"He would keep telling me, 'You should act! Why are you getting into writing and direction?' However, my interest lay in writing and direction, so I didn't listen to him," Shobhinaw recalled. Looking back, the actor believes that circumstances eventually brought him towards acting through the very person whose advice he had once ignored.

Shobhinaw believes his casting in Hanuman Ansh was almost destined to happen. Reflecting on how things unfolded, he said, "Perhaps Babaji had other plans. He brought me into acting through the very person whose advice I had once ignored. It's almost as if he pulled me into this world through my guru's hands." The actor also made an interesting revelation about how unlikely his casting had been. When asked whether he was the first choice for the role, Shobhinaw responded with a candid admission.

"I wasn't even the last choice. Nobody had imagined that I would become a part of this film. I was simply an assistant director," he said. He further clarified that when the opportunity came his way, he wasn't thinking about personal ambition or what the role could do for his career. His priority was simply ensuring that the film continued.

"My only thought was that this was Babaji's film, and it shouldn't be stalled," he concluded.

Meanwhile, after a successful theatrical run, Hanuman Ansh is all set to stream on SonyLIV on November 27.