He is a rare find. Why? Because Mohit Malik is one of those actors who knows only one way to perform — by immersing himself completely in his characters, often blurring the lines between reel and real. We’ve seen it in Doli Armaanon Ki (2013) and Kullfi Kumarr Bajewala (2018), among others. Now, playing Lord Shiva — father to Ganesh and Kartikey — Malik reveals that it was a role he had once manifested but initially refused when the offer came his way. “It was destiny,” he says. It was also destiny that led him to Mirzapur: The Film, where he plays a pivotal role among actors “so secure in their craft”. In conversation with mid-day, Malik talks about his hesitation before taking up Gatha Shiv Parivaar Ki – Ganesh Kartikey, his move towards films, and working on the set of Mirzapur: The Film.
Excerpts from the interview.
This is an interesting turn in your life and career, focusing on movies and OTT.
I think OTT and films give you an opportunity to play different characters. That’s why I’m drifting a little away from television, though not completely. This show was something I couldn’t run away from. Initially, I was hesitant because I didn’t want to do a mythological show. But it was my destiny to play Shiva. I had refused, but after two months, the producer — who is also a friend — called me again for a meeting. We agreed on a look test, and that was that. Interestingly, I had once manifested this role. I remember telling a writer friend that we don’t have enough stories about Shiva. We had even discussed an opening scene of him emerging from the Mansarovar lake at dawn — and coincidentally, that’s exactly how my entry shot begins in the show.
Mohit Malik as Lord Shiva
Are you a Shiva bhakt?
Now, I am. It’s not easy to be a Shiva bhakt because you must truly abandon worldly things. Shiva takes everything away from you to bring you closer to him. Actually, I’m a bhakt of Shiv-Shakti. From all that I’ve read, Shankar is the akaar — the body of Shiv. He is both a yogi and a bhogi. I believe in these things after reading so much about Shiva and Shakti. I’ve read Devdutt Pattanaik and Nilima Chitgopekar’s books on Shiva after saying yes to the show.
The show focuses on the father’s bond with his sons. Did being a father make it easier for you to play the role?
That chemistry had to come naturally. I believe Shiva is an ideal father. He lets his sons be, he isn’t possessive. I’m raising my child like that. Every father watching the show will relate to him; it’s a lesson in parenting. The idea is to be with your children while giving them the freedom to explore and experience life. You shouldn’t instruct them, but be present. Like Ganesh, who gained knowledge too easily and became arrogant — that’s why Shiva cut his head. It was a difficult scene to perform. I’ve learnt a lot from Shiv as a father and husband. It’s been a great experience.
What goes into your preparation to become Shiva?
I’ve been into meditation since 2016, but now I practise it more deeply because of this role. I meditate for 45 minutes every day before the shoot, usually in my car on route to Naigaon. It’s made me more patient. I often spend an hour just getting into costume, rehearsing lines, and shooting. I enter a zone where I lose track of time. That’s the only way I know how to perform, by diving deep into the character. I can’t switch on and off easily.
How do you manage the shoots of Mirzapur: The Film and this, given they are so different in nature?
I honestly don’t know how I’m doing it. After a Mirzapur shoot, I need a full day of meditation to centre myself and return to being Shiva. Playing Shiva feels like therapy to me.
Does doing Mirzapur also involve a lot of prep?
A lot of things, but I can’t reveal much [laughs]. My character is something no one has seen in Mirzapur before.
What’s it like working on a cult show that has turned into a film?
I was nervous on the first day. I know the director, Gurmmeet [Singh], very well — we’ve wanted to work together for a long time. He’s like an angel. When you meet Puneetji [Krishna], who is the showrunner and writer of Mirzapur, you wouldn’t believe how sweet he is. The team is warm and welcoming. Everyone
feels secure in their craft. I’ve always been a huge fan of Pankajji [Tripathi]. The shoot will continue till January 2026.
