Mohitt Maalik on Sony SAB’s Ganesh Kartikey: “The show reminded me peace comes from being centered in every role, be it Shiva or a father”

Sony SAB’s Gatha Shiv Parivaar Ki - Ganesh Kartikey brings forth a divine yet deeply relatable portrayal of Lord Shiva and his celestial family. The show offers audiences a glimpse into the lesser-known stories of Lord Shiv (Mohitt Maalik), Goddess Parvati (Shrenu Parikh), and their sons Lord Ganesh (Ekansh Kathrotiya) and Lord Kartikey (Subhan Khan), blending mythology, philosophy, and emotion in equal measure. While the grandeur of divinity is ever-present, what truly sets this tale apart is its exploration of the Shiv Parivaar’s emotional bonds, familial lessons, and moments of love and balance that mirror human life.
In this heartfelt conversation, Mohitt Maalik opens up about his journey of embodying Lord Shiva balancing divinity with humanity, his preparation process, on-set experiences, and what viewers can look forward to in the upcoming track.
The show depicts Lord Shiva not only as a deity, but as a husband and father. How did you balance the divine persona with the more human, relatable family man whom the audience can connect with?
That balance was the most fascinating part of playing Lord Shiva. I wanted to show that his calmness and divinity come from awareness, not detachment. As a husband and father, he’s deeply present, patient with his family, yet always guided by a larger sense of purpose. So, while the aura is divine, the emotions are very human. It’s that blend that makes Lord Shiva so universally relatable.
This is your first mythological role — how different has the experience been from the modern-day characters you’ve portrayed so far?
It’s completely different. Modern characters draw from external circumstances; mythology requires an inward journey. The dialogue delivery, the body language, even the silence carries meaning. I had to unlearn a lot and approach each scene with spiritual discipline and stillness. It’s been humbling, to say the least.
What kind of preparation goes into portraying such a calm yet powerful deity on screen?
A lot of internal preparation. I began by reading and watching various interpretations of Lord Shiva, from scriptures to modern retellings. But eventually, I realized calmness can’t be “performed”; it has to be felt. I started meditating before shoots to ground myself. The power in Lord Shiv lies in his composure, so I focused on stillness rather than grandeur.

Were there any moments during filming that made you reflect on your own life (as husband, father, actor) in new ways, inspired by the role of Shiva or the story of the Shiv Parivaar?
Absolutely. The Shiv Parivaar represents balance between duty and love, detachment and care. Playing Lord Shiva made me reflect on how often we let our roles in life pull us in different directions. It reminded me that peace doesn’t come from doing less, but from being centered in whatever we do.
The show beautifully explores Shiva’s bond with Parvati, Ganesh, and Kartikey. How has it been working with your co-stars who play these divine roles?
It’s been wonderful. The chemistry on-screen is a reflection of the comfort we share off-screen. Our Goddess Parvati brings such grace to her performance, and the actors playing Lord Ganesh and Lord Kartikey are full of energy and innocence just like how you’d imagine the real Shiv Parivaar to be. We often joke and rehearse like a real family.
Can you share an interesting anecdote or a memorable moment from the set?
There was a moment during a meditation sequence when everything just went quiet, no movement, no sound, even the crew stopped talking. It felt surreal, as if the energy of the scene had filled the entire set. Moments like that remind you that storytelling can sometimes touch something beyond performance.
What can viewers look forward to in the upcoming track of Ganesh Kartikey?
The upcoming track dives deeper into the emotional core of the Shiv Parivaar. It explores the bond between the brothers, their sense of duty, and how Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati guide them through divine lessons that mirror very human conflicts. It’s heartfelt, visually stunning, and full of spiritual meaning.