Janmashtmi Special: Best onscreen Krishnas : Sachin Pilgaonkar

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Janmashtmi Special: Best onscreen Krishnas

Shi Krishna Janmashtami

Janmashtmi is more than just a holiday. Janmashtami marks the celebration of the birth of Lord Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. The festival usually falls on the ashtami of Krishna Paksh or the eighth day in the month of Bhadon, according to the Hindu calendar.

This blessed day is not only celebrated in a traditional manner by performing pooja but with great joy, music, dance and fun-filled activities.

When it comes to celebrations and festivals, how can the entertainment industry stay behind. Lord Krishna and his life story has always been an integral part of both the big and the small screen. Lord Krishna`s role has been reprised by many in films and TV shows. The naughty yet innocent nature of `makhan chor` Krishna has been seeped into many characters in films as well as television serials.

Here`s a list of top five actors who have essayed the role of Lord Krishna on screen during their career:

Nitish Bharadwaj

The actor played Lord Krishna in B.R Chopra`s famous television series `Mahabharata`. Soon after the miniseries was telecast on the small screen, the actor created a new identity for himself as Lord Krishna. The 51-year-old actor, who quit his successful career of a veterinarian to pursue his passion in acting, was just 23-year-old when he was picked for the epic role. Undoubtedly, even today the first name that comes to everyone`s mind when we think about on screen Krishnas is of Nitish.

Saurabh Raj Jain

The young lad, who began his career as a school student in popular television series `Remix` is the newest Krishna of the small screen. Currently, Saurabh is playing the epic role in Swastik Productions` `Mahabharata` which airs on a popular entertainemnt channel. At the same time, the actor is also essaying the character in another television serial `Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev` which is based on the legends of Lord Shiva.

Akshay Kumar:

The Bollywood superstar played modern day Krishna in 2012 film `Oh My God!`. Unlike the traditional Krishna avatar, Khiladi Kumar was seen wearing jackets and sporting aviators in the film. Though his avatar was very different from the Krishna, we have always seen, Akshay`s personality fitted just perfectly for the magnanimous and colourful character. The modern Krishna was loved by one and all.

Swapnil Joshi

After enacting Lord Krishna in the television series `Shree Krishna`, Swapnil Joshi became a name to reckon with in the television industry. He began his career at the age of nine when he was offered the role of Lord Rama`s son Kush in Ramanand Sagar`s TV series `Uttar Ramayana`. Sagar later gave him another opportunity and this time to play the title role in his mythological drama `Shree Krishna`. The actor gained immense popularity with the character. People started virtually worshiping him. There was an incident where he was the chief guest at an event and when he started walking towards the stage people gathered around him and started taking his blessings by touching his feet.

Sachin Pilgaonkar

The actor, mostly known by his first name Sachin started as a child actor in a Marathi film titled `Ha Majha Marg Ekla`. He played the epic role of Lord Krishna in 1971 film `Shree Krishna Leela`. The film directed and produced by Homi Wadia told the entire story of Krishna, right from his birth. At the tender of 14, Sachin flawlessly essayed the lead role in the movie and was appreciated for his character.

Here`s wishing everyone a very Happy Janmashtmi.

Compiled By: Parul Sabherwal