National Award-winning actor Vikrant Massey recently shared a profound look into his preparation for the upcoming film White, where he takes on the monumental task of portraying spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Speaking at a recent public event, Massey described the role as a rare intersection of professional rigor and personal evolution. For Massey, the preparation went beyond mere acting; it became a meditative experience. Reflecting on his time with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the actor noted that the spiritual leader's presence left a permanent mark on his psyche.
“Those moments were special,” Massey remarked, explaining how the process allowed him to find a sense of inner peace. “I got closer to myself while spending time at his ashram and with him. Mahaveer Jain ji the producer of White took me to meet him. I got the chance to get close to him and meet him through this project and I'm so glad.” This connection sparked a shift in Massey's daily life, bringing a newfound sense of calm to his fast-paced career. “Unki wajah se main apni zindagi mein thoda thehrav la paaya hoon and that has had an impact on me personally,” he shared.
Despite the internal peace the role brought, Massey did not shy away from the immense pressure of portraying a living global icon. He highlighted the difficulty of capturing a personality that defies standard tropes. “It was very challenging to play him because he is a very unique personality. He is actually someone who has no blueprint. He is only one in himself. So, a lot of preparation has to be done,” Massey explained.
Beyond the mental preparation, the physical transformation was an arduous daily undertaking. Massey revealed the grueling schedule required to achieve the look: “There's a lot of prosthetics involved in getting the look right. I had to spend over 5–5.30 hours for the makeup and hair and we shot for over 10 hours on top of that. I pray the hard work pays off.” The ultimate test for Massey lies in the reaction of Gurudev himself. While the actor has shared glimpses of his performance with the spiritual leader, the full reveal is yet to come.
“The first person to watch the movie will be him. I'm nervous thinking what he will say about the film,” Massey admitted. Recalling the moments he shared early footage, he added with a smile, “I have shown him some clippings and he said nothing... So it's all good.” As White moves toward its release, Massey’s dedication to authenticity—both through intense physical labor and spiritual immersion—sets the stage for what promises to be one of the most significant performances of his career.