Subodh Bhave Calls Saint Role a Divine Blessing

Veteran actor Subodh Bhave admits that stepping into the role of Neem Karoli Baba for the new biopic was far from ordinary. In a candid conversation, he revealed that the character demanded not just preparation but the living blessings of the saint himself. Bhave noted that millions of followers visit Kainchi Dham each year, their faith unwavering. He felt humbled when the makers entrusted him with portraying such a beloved figure. According to the actor, no performer can truly capture a saint’s essence without receiving inner sanction, something he experienced from the very first day of principal photography. The shoot began in Prayagraj at the exact house where Neem Karoli Baba stayed with a disciple. The room remains untouched, preserving his bed, photograph, and daily worship rituals. Elderly devotees present that day covered Bhave with the maharaj’s blanket and performed age-old rituals of tilak and flowers. Bhave said the moment felt as though the saint had appeared in person, filling him with an extraordinary sense of purity and strength that guided the rest of the filming journey.