Bhishma’s love was never in doubt: Wadhwa
“My apology to my younger self would be that I should have paid closer attention to certain things earlier on”
From Gadar 2’s chilling Major General to Sony SAB’s Hastinapur Ke Veer, Manish Wadhwa brings layered gravitas to every role — now embodying Bhishma Pitamah with quiet intensity and unspoken sorrow. Speaking with The Pioneer, he explores how Bhishma’s vow, though born of honour, was shaped by circumstance and how duty, when it silences empathy, can leave even the noblest guardian powerless to stop the storm.
On Bhishma’s Inner Conflict
Manish Wadhwa: Bhishma’s foresight sees everything, yet he remains bound by circumstances. He tries to guide the children with affection, but cannot change what unfolds. I always tell the young actors, “This is just a character. Leave this character right here; take only the goodness from it.”
On Bhishma’s greatest dilemma
Manish Wadhwa: People often blame Bhishma for the Mahabharata, but his vow was shaped by the circumstances of that moment. Bound by his word, he chose honour over compromise, trying his best to keep the family united despite everything unfolding around him.
On breaking typecasts
Manish Wadhwa: By God’s grace, I have always received diverse roles throughout my career-both antagonists and protagonists. Playing Major General Hamid Iqbal was a unique joy, but I decline duplicate roles. Every character is distinct, and I fully inhabit each one without overthinking typecasting.
On the power of voice
Manish Wadhwa: Our medium is audiovisual, where audio comes first. Clarity, correct pronunciation and natural delivery are essential. Voice acting and dubbing taught me voice modulation and articulation. Immersing yourself in a character through a microphone refines your craft — it is an art you never stop learning.
On theatre’s lasting influence
Manish Wadhwa: By God’s grace, theatre taught me discipline, precision and focus. On stage, there are no retakes. Modern shoots are fragmented, so you rely on your own capability and emotional graph. Whether on stage or screen, giving your 100 per cent is non-negotiable — the camera captures everything.
On looking back
Manish Wadhwa: Unpredictability is part of life and fame. The key is giving your 100 per cent. I thank God, my parents and the audience — I am where I am today because of their blessings.
On Playing Bhishma
“For me, Bhishma’s love was never in doubt — it was hidden beneath unwavering duty. Through restraint, silence and emotion, I wanted audiences to feel his affection, sacrifice and humanity”
