‘People think I’m god’: Shruhad Goswami shares how the ‘Laalo’ character made people touch his feet |

Actor Shruhad Goswami spoke candidly about the overwhelming reaction to his portrayal of Lord Krishna in the Gujarati devotional film ‘Laalo – Krishna Sada Sahaayate’.On the Bethak podcast, he said, “To be honest, I don’t have the words to say it. Because I didn’t think that people have so much faith in them. And when they see me in the film, they think I am God. They think I am God and come to me. They touch my feet.”He added, “And people mostly come to me and hug me. Maybe my face has become a reason to show God. So I don’t understand it right now… But this is not mine, this is God’s. I know that. I don’t get the love or respect that people give me. But I respect the character of God. I respect the way people look at God in my face.”Shruhad Goswami admitted he was initially hesitant: “I didn’t like it… I don’t think anyone else can do it… So I can’t make it mine.”

Director’s conviction and casting backstory

Director Ankit Sakhiya had a different approach. In an interview with Priya Saraiya, he recalled telling Shruhad Goswami: “Bro, you only have to play this character — no one else is there who can do this.” During an interview with anchor Priya Saraiya, Sakhiya cut through hesitation: “You are Krishna. What kind of Krishna are you? You are. You are for me. You will do it. Krishna. Done.”Despite Goswami’s misgivings, the director’s conviction and the magnitude of the role convinced him to embrace the part.

From modest budget to Monumental box-office success

Laalo was made on a modest budget of just Rs 50 lakh, with a limited screen release compared to mainstream Hindi films. Yet it achieved a blockbuster status: in its sixth week the film reportedly collected over Rs 24.40 crore, as reported by the Sacnilk website.