Danish Akhtar Opens Up About Portraying Hanuman on Screen and Stage

Actor Danish Akhtar started his journey in the entertainment industry in 2015 with Siya Ke Ram, where he played the role of Hanuman. He has also been a part of shows like Jai Maa Vaishnodevi, Santoshi Maa, Kakbhushundi Ramayan, and Shanidev, among others, along with Kannada movies like Kabzaa, Kotigobba 3, Kaatera, and Udgharsha, and Bollywood movies Fateh and Vikram Vedha. Though he is a Muslim and plays the role of Hanuman, he is thankful that people never questioned his craft based on his religion. 

He said, "Coming from a Muslim household, I was initially worried if people would have a problem with me playing mythological roles, but to this day, no one has ever sent me a single message asking why I'm doing this as a Muslim. From both the Hindu and Muslim communities, people show me immense love, respect, and appreciation. Even today, when I go home, temple priests and mosque maulanas visit our house and speak and sit with me with that same level of respect." Talking about his other work, he said, "There is a theater show running called Humare Ram, with Ashutosh Rana sir, which is a massive show in India right now. I am playing Hanuman in that currently. I am also performing as Bheem in a theater show called Mahabharat: The Epic Tale with Punit Issar sir." 

"Currently, I am so busy with theater shows that I’m unable to take on new film projects," he added. Danish has also played the role of Bheem in Shri Krishna and the South Indian 3D film Kurukshetra. But his journey has not been easy. "When I got Siya Ke Ram in 2015, I received appreciation from the directors, producers, and creatives, and a lot of love and support from the audience too. I have worked very hard, and I consider 'struggle' to be synonymous with 'hard work.' No one can move forward without it." "Even on days I feel I have not done enough, I try to match the same level of hard work that I had when I started out.  I never gave up and worked hard on scripts and lines. An NSD teacher, Rajesh Tiwari, gave me workshops on how to do things. I worked hard to transition my personality and physique from that of a wrestler and bodybuilder to an actor. I wasn't financially strong, but everything is getting better now. I feel I do good work because wherever I work, people appreciate me; whatever character I am given, I work on it with great effort, and, by the grace of God and my parents' prayers, I succeed," he added. The actor, who hails from the Siwan district in Bihar, has his hands full currently. 

He said, "Because of the time constraints, I miss out on many movies. I was even offered a film with Shah Rukh Khan. I'm not saying I was selected, but I was called for it; however, I had to decline even before going because I didn't have the dates available." "I had offers with several big actors where I couldn't even attend the look tests because of my busy schedule," Danish ended.