Actor Srikant Dwivedi, who recently led the show Lakshmi Narayan and currently plays the role of Lord Vishnu in the mythological show Shiv Shakti-Tap Tyag Tandav, shares his journey in the showbiz industry.
Discussing his career, Dwivedi says, “I was previously working in the hospitality industry in Delhi and had no plans of entering the entertainment industry or pursuing acting. It just happened unexpectedly. In 2017, I participated in Mr. India, won the competition, and went on to represent India on a global stage. That was the first time I was introduced to the modeling and entertainment industry. I found the modeling world quite fascinating and enjoyed it, but I wanted to achieve something bigger. I knew modeling has a relatively short career span for most people. That realization made me explore other avenues, and I began watching plays in Delhi, especially in Mandi House. That’s when I felt I should venture into acting as well.” After that, Srikant took a bold decision, left his job, and moved to Mumbai.
He adds, “I had never been to Mumbai before and had no idea what the city was like. But I told myself, life is short, and if you don’t take risks, staying in the same place forever would be the biggest risk of all. I didn’t want to live with regrets or keep wondering, ‘What if?’ So, I decided to take the plunge and moved to Mumbai to pursue acting. The first thing I did when I came to Mumbai was to join a theater group. I trained under the mentorship of Saurabh Sachdeva, where I began understanding the nuances of acting and the dedication it requires. I got deeply interested in the craft and started auditioning for roles. I gave many auditions, faced a lot of rejections, but kept going. Finally, my first break in television came with a show called Papa By Chance, where I did a cameo role. That was the beginning of my journey in the TV industry.”
Currently, Srikant is essaying the lead role in Lakshmi Narayan, a mythology-based show. Sharing more about his role and experience, he says, “I played the lead role in Lakshmi Narayan, which was my first show as a lead. I initially started as a parallel lead in Shiv Shakti, and my performance was appreciated so much by the channel and production house that they decided to create a spin-off, introducing a new show titled Lakshmi Narayan. In the show, I portrayed the role of Lord Narayan, or Vishnu, who is the epitome of patience and wisdom. Vishnu is known for taking different avatars whenever the situation demands it. Each avatar reflects a different aspect of his personality. For instance, some avatars, like the calm and composed ones, embody peace, while others, like Narasimha or Varaha, represent anger or seriousness when necessary.”
Srikant also shares his learnings from his character. “Through this role, I learned that Lord Vishnu, with his various forms, has always guided and maintained balance in the universe. This taught me that as humans, we are not the same in every situation. Depending on circumstances, we adapt and react with different mindsets and approaches. Playing Lord Vishnu helped me understand the importance of being virtuous, wise, and always walking on the path of righteousness. This has been one of the most valuable lessons I learned while portraying this role. Even now, as I continue playing the role of Narayan in Shiv Shakti, I strive to imbibe these teachings in real life. It has truly been an enlightening experience for me.” Why did you take up this role? “The reason I took up this role was deeply personal. Since childhood, I have grown up listening to devotional songs, most of which were dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Whether it was Om Jai Jagdish Hare or songs about Lord Vishnu’s various avatars, these devotional tunes have always been a part of my life. Singing and humming these songs created a connection with the divine, and I always felt drawn to this spiritual realm. I wanted to deeply understand this connection and explore the essence of Lord Vishnu’s character. In today’s fast-paced life, it’s difficult to pause and truly learn about Indian mythology, history, and the gods.”
Interestingly, Srikant has a unique karmic relationship with his show. He says, “My name itself has a connection to Lord Vishnu. Sri Kant or Sri Lakshmi Kant refers to the husband of Goddess Lakshmi, who is none other than Narayan or Vishnu. It felt as if this role was destined for me, and I was meant to portray Lord Vishnu.”
