Bollywood
Who Was the First Actor to Play Lord Krishna on Screen?
Lord Krishna remains one of the most cherished figures in Hindu mythology — a symbol of wisdom, love, mischief, and divinity. From epic texts like the Mahabharata and Bhagavata Purana, Krishna has found his way into every art form: painting, dance, theater, and eventually cinema. With Indian cinema itself born in mythological roots, it was only natural that Lord Krishna became one of the earliest gods to be portrayed on screen.
But who exactly was the first actor to play Krishna on film? To answer this, we need to revisit the early days of Indian cinema, starting with Dadasaheb Phalke, the father of Indian films.
Mythology and the Birth of Indian Cinema
In 1913, Phalke released “Raja Harishchandra,” the first full-length Indian feature film. Its success encouraged more filmmakers to adapt mythological tales, as audiences were deeply connected with epics and Puranas.
Unlike modern cinema, where romance and action dominate, early Indian films were almost entirely based on gods, saints, and epics. This was because religious and mythological narratives were not only entertaining but also socially acceptable for audiences who were still adjusting to the new medium of film.
The First Screen Krishna: Silent Era (1918–1920s)
The earliest depiction of Lord Krishna came in Phalke’s silent films. Two key movies stand out:
- Krishna Janma (1918) – Focused on the birth of Krishna.
- Kaliya Mardan (1919) – Showcased child Krishna’s legendary victory over the serpent Kaliya.
In a fascinating twist, Phalke cast his own daughter, Mandakini Phalke, as child Krishna in “Kaliya Mardan.” She is, therefore, recognized as the first actor to play Krishna on screen — though as a child.
When it comes to adult portrayals, credit goes to Dattatraya Damodar Dabke, who worked closely with Phalke and acted in his mythological productions. Dabke is remembered as the first adult male actor to embody Krishna on screen.
Expanding Krishna’s Cinematic Journey
After the silent era, the 1920s and 1930s saw the rise of talkies (sound films), which further amplified Krishna’s presence on screen. Films such as:
- Nand Kumar (1921)
- Gopal Krishna (1929)
- Krishna Bhakti (1935)
helped solidify Krishna’s role as not just a religious character but also a cinematic hero. These films typically depicted his childhood pranks, Rasleela in Vrindavan, and battles against demons.
Krishna in the Early Talkie Era (1930s–1950s)
With the introduction of sound in Indian cinema, mythological films became even more popular. Krishna’s character could now deliver dialogues, recite verses, and perform bhajans — giving audiences a more immersive devotional experience.
Some notable portrayals during this era included:
- P. G. Sane in Gopal Krishna (1929).
- Ranjan in Krishna Bhakta Sudama (1947).
- Abhi Bhattacharya as Krishna in Mahabharat (1965) — a performance that became a benchmark for cinematic portrayals.
Krishna on Television: A Game-Changer (1980s–1990s)
While films kept Krishna alive, it was television that turned him into a household deity in India.
- B. R. Chopra’s Mahabharat (1988) featured Sarvadaman Banerjee as Krishna. His calm, philosophical portrayal, especially during the Bhagavad Gita sequence, remains iconic.
- Ramanand Sagar’s Shri Krishna (1993) cast Swapnil Joshi (as teenage Krishna) and Sarvadaman Banerjee (as adult Krishna). The show ran for years and was re-telecast during the COVID-19 lockdown, gaining a new wave of popularity.
Television made Krishna more accessible, bringing mythological stories to millions of living rooms across India.
Modern Era and Global Adaptations
Today, Krishna continues to appear on OTT platforms, animated films, and global productions. Animated features like Krishna: Makhan Chor and Little Krishna introduced the deity to children in a fresh, playful format.
Modern actors occasionally revisit Krishna in devotional films or stage productions, but none forget the legacy of the first pioneers from Phalke’s era.
Why Krishna Was an Early Cinematic Choice
Krishna’s early popularity in films was no coincidence. Several reasons explain this:
- Cultural Familiarity – Audiences already loved Krishna’s stories.
- Visual Appeal – Stories of miracles, demons, and divine acts translated well on screen.
- Devotional Connect – Watching Krishna on screen felt like an act of worship for many viewers.
- Political Symbolism – In colonial India, mythological films carried subtle messages of resistance and nationalism.
Timeline of Krishna on Screen
- 1918 – Krishna Janma (first Krishna film, silent era).
- 1919 – Kaliya Mardan – Mandakini Phalke as child Krishna.
- 1929 – Gopal Krishna – adult Krishna in talkies.
- 1947 – Krishna Bhakta Sudama – Krishna’s bond with Sudama portrayed.
- 1965 – Mahabharat film starring Abhi Bhattacharya as Krishna.
- 1988 – B. R. Chopra’s Mahabharat with Sarvadaman Banerjee.
- 1993–1996 – Ramanand Sagar’s Shri Krishna TV series.
Bollywood
From Sapna Didi to O’Romeo: How Triptii Dimri Replaced Deepika Padukone and Vishal Bharadwaj Reimagined His Shelved Film
Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj is back in theatres with his much-anticipated film O’Romeo, starring Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri.
While the teaser and trailer of O’Romeo have generated strong buzz online, few may remember that the project has a long and complicated history. Years ago, Bharadwaj had announced a film titled Sapna Didi, which was to star Deepika Padukone and Irrfan Khan in lead roles.
So what changed? And how did Sapna Didi evolve into O’Romeo?
The Shelved Dream: What Was Sapna Didi?
Sapna Didi was originally conceived as a gritty crime drama inspired by the life of Mumbai underworld figure Rahima Khan. Deepika Padukone was set to play the titular character — an underworld queen seeking revenge — while Irrfan Khan was reportedly cast as gangster Hussain Ustara.
The film had even gone on floors. Deepika and Irrfan had completed part of a shooting schedule before the project stalled.
However, multiple setbacks led to its eventual shelving:
- Irrfan Khan’s deteriorating health
- His untimely demise in 2020
- Reported creative differences during development
The loss of Irrfan, who shared a critically acclaimed on-screen pairing with Deepika in Piku, dealt a major blow to the project.
Actor Pankaj Tripathi had also confirmed in interviews that he was part of Sapna Didi during its early shoot.
Vishal Bharadwaj Breaks His Silence
During the trailer launch of O’Romeo, Vishal Bharadwaj addressed comparisons with Sapna Didi for the first time.
He clarified that while the earlier script existed, O’Romeo is an entirely different film.
“That script and the cast were different, but this is a different film. This film is titled O Romeo. When I first started working on it, I never thought we would have this title. The story evolved, it underwent many changes. This film has nothing to do with the earlier film.”
His statement makes it clear that while Sapna Didi may have laid creative groundwork, O’Romeo is not a revival but a reinvention.
From Deepika to Triptii: A New Casting Era
With Deepika Padukone no longer attached and Irrfan’s irreplaceable absence, Bharadwaj reshaped the narrative.
Enter Triptii Dimri — one of the most talked-about actresses in recent years — stepping into the female lead role opposite Shahid Kapoor.
The casting shift also signals a tonal evolution:
- Sapna Didi was rooted in a real-life underworld backdrop.
- O’Romeo appears to blend crime, romance, and dramatic intensity with a more stylised approach.
Shahid Kapoor’s collaboration with Vishal Bharadwaj is also notable. The duo previously worked together in acclaimed films like Kaminey and Haider, raising expectations for O’Romeo.
All About O’Romeo
O’Romeo features an ensemble cast including:
- Shahid Kapoor
- Triptii Dimri
- Nana Patekar
- Avinash Tiwary
- Tamannaah Bhatia
- Farida Jalal
- Disha Patani
- Vikrant Massey (special appearance)
The film is produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and is slated for theatrical release on February 13, 2026.
A Story of Reinvention
The transformation from Sapna Didi to O’Romeo reflects more than just a casting change. It represents:
- A filmmaker adapting to personal and professional loss
- The evolution of a script over nearly seven years
- Bollywood’s ability to reshape unfinished stories into new cinematic journeys
While fans may always wonder what Sapna Didi could have been, O’Romeo now stands as Vishal Bharadwaj’s fresh vision — one shaped by time, change, and reinvention.
Bollywood
Box Office Collection (February 11, 2026): Mardaani 3 Nears ₹40 Crore Mark, Border 2 Sees Midweek Slowdown
The Wednesday box office witnessed steady but slowing numbers for two major Hindi releases — Rani Mukerji’s Mardaani 3 and Sunny Deol’s Border 2. While Mardaani 3 inches closer to the ₹40 crore mark after nearly two weeks in theatres, Border 2 continues its strong overall run despite a noticeable midweek dip.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of their Day 13 and Day 20 collections respectively.
Mardaani 3 Day 13 Box Office Collection
Rani Mukerji’s crime thriller earned ₹1.10 crore on its second Wednesday (Day 13), taking its total India net collection to ₹39.80 crore, according to industry tracker Sacnilk.
The film opened with ₹4 crore on Day 1 and saw a strong jump of 56.25% on Day 2, collecting ₹6.25 crore. Its highest single-day collection came on the first Sunday, when it minted ₹7.25 crore.
However, the film has slowed considerably in its second week, with daily earnings dropping to single digits. Despite positive word-of-mouth in urban centres, Mardaani 3 is facing stiff competition and limited mass pull.
Key Highlights:
- Opening Day: ₹4 crore
- First Sunday Peak: ₹7.25 crore
- Day 13 Collection: ₹1.10 crore
- Total India Net: ₹39.80 crore
Directed by Abhiraj Minawala, the film also stars Janki Bodiwala and Mallika Prasad in key roles. The film now needs a steady second weekend hold to comfortably cross the ₹40 crore milestone.
Border 2 Box Office Collection Day 20
Sunny Deol’s war drama Border 2 registered a drop on its 20th day. After earning ₹2.5 crore on Tuesday, the film collected ₹1.75 crore on Wednesday (Day 20).
Despite the midweek slowdown, the film’s total India net collection stands at a strong ₹316 crore.
On the global front, Border 2 has crossed the ₹400 crore mark worldwide, with total collections touching approximately ₹430 crore, making it one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of 2026 so far.
Key Highlights:
- Day 20 Collection: ₹1.75 crore
- India Net Total: ₹316 crore
- Worldwide Total: ₹430 crore
Directed by Anurag Singh, the film is a spiritual sequel to the 1997 blockbuster Border and features Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty, and Diljit Dosanjh alongside Sunny Deol.
Box Office Analysis: Where Both Films Stand
📌 Mardaani 3
- Approaching ₹40 crore mark
- Urban-centric appeal
- Dependent on word-of-mouth
- Needs strong weekend push
📌 Border 2
- Already a commercial success
- Sustaining well in its third week
- Strong overseas performance
- Midweek drops are natural at this stage
While Mardaani 3 aims to stabilize its second-week performance, Border 2 continues to capitalize on patriotic appeal and franchise nostalgia.
With no major blockbuster releases this week, both films may continue to hold screens — but weekend numbers will determine their long-term trajectory.
Bollywood
Dhurandhar 2: Ranveer Singh’s Film to Release in Tamil, Telugu and Other Regional Languages | Full List Here
Ranveer Singh is all set to return to the big screen with the second instalment of his much-talked-about spy thriller Dhurandhar. Titled Dhurandhar: The Revenge, the film is scheduled for a theatrical release on March 19, 2026. Following the success and anticipation surrounding the first part, the makers are leaving no stone unturned to make the sequel a pan-India release.
Recently, the first poster of Dhurandhar 2 featuring Ranveer Singh was unveiled, instantly grabbing fans’ attention and generating strong buzz across social media platforms.
Dhurandhar 2 to Get a Multi-Language Release
To ensure the film reaches a wider audience across the country, the makers have officially confirmed that Dhurandhar: The Revenge will be released in multiple regional languages along with Hindi.
Languages Dhurandhar 2 Will Release In:
- Hindi
- Telugu
- Tamil
- Kannada
- Malayalam
With this multi-language release strategy, the makers aim to tap into the massive South Indian market, making Dhurandhar 2 one of Ranveer Singh’s biggest pan-India releases to date.
Dhurandhar 2 Title and Teaser Details
Along with announcing the official title, the makers also revealed the teaser release date and time. The teaser of Dhurandhar: The Revenge is set to drop on February 3, 2026, at 12:12 PM.
The newly released poster hints at a darker, more intense chapter in the Dhurandhar universe, with Ranveer Singh expected to reprise his role in a high-octane, action-packed avatar.
About the Dhurandhar Franchise
The Dhurandhar film series is written and directed by Aditya Dhar, best known for his blockbuster film Uri: The Surgical Strike. The franchise is being produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Aditya Dhar, and Lokesh Dhar under the banners of Jio Studios and B62 Studios.
With Aditya Dhar at the helm and Ranveer Singh leading the cast, expectations are high for Dhurandhar: The Revenge to deliver gripping storytelling, stylised action, and strong performances.
As the teaser drops later today, fans are eagerly waiting to get their first glimpse of what promises to be an intense and action-heavy sequel. With its pan-India release and a popular lead star, Dhurandhar 2 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated Bollywood releases of 2026.
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