Gaurav Chopra’s new show, Aghori, changes the perceptions about this little-known cult, says Ayushi Sharma
The mere mention of Aghoris triggers an image of fear, intrigue, mystique and bafflement in our minds, simply because little is known about this reclusive cult of sadhus. The instant visual that floats before the eyes is that of an ash-smeared man with intense eyes, sporting dreadlocks, reciting verses and, the most intriguing aspect of all, practising cannibalism. But there’s so much more to them than what meets the eyes. Did you know that a man who looks just like us, has a job and seems well-adjusted socially could also be a worshipper of Aghora? Well, actor Gaurav Chopra’s forthcoming show Aghori revolves around the same concept. He apprises us that Aghoris, contrary to their general perception, are actually healers.
He explains that the impression that we have of them is based on misconception. “An Aghori is somebody who follows a life of an Aghor, which is disciplined and does not demarcate between oneself and another human being. Practitioners are the purest and can feel you like a beehive. Many Aghoris are part of modern society but at the same time also follow the discipline of an Aghor. Just the way there are all kinds of people — Hindus, Christians, Muslims — similarly all kinds of Aghoris exist. They are the victims of stereotypes. There are convictions that get exaggerated over a period of time. And once exaggerated, they become a typecast for the entire community. This show will reveal what they are meant to do and how they actually are.”
The Uttaran actor clarifies that Aghoris are followers of Shiva. And the God has two forms — of the maker and of the destroyer. As a manifestation of the latter, they practise their craft on cremation grounds which have an all-pervasive sense of death.
“Everything comes from the God who kills and he kills because he has to give you another life,” says the actor with finality ringing in his voice.
However, he disagrees with those people who might argue that shows like this feed myths and make them grow bigger. “I don’t want to talk about myths. I’m trying to explain the truth. Within them also there are good and bad versions. There are those who go towards the cult and others who go towards tantra. This can happen to anybody just like people get corrupted in office with the sense of power. In a similar manner, when they acquire these powers, some Aghoris direct their energies towards tantra.”
People often refer to them as super humans and they do have immense powers as compared to an ordinary person. “But it’s up to them where they channelise the power. It is nothing but energy. And that’s exactly what this story is centered around — the fight between good and evil. Even if Ravan wouldn’t have abducted Sita, Ram, the protector of the good, would have killed evil,” he adds.
Gaurav explains further that it is also the attitude which makes them different. He says, “As an Aghori, I don’t see a difference between you and me or on account of colour and creed. I don’t have anger, vengeance or jealousy. All the powers and the siddhis that he acquires is used for healing. For instance, there’s pain in my wrist and it’s bothering me, I’ll do something about it, probably go to a doctor. Similarly, if you have a pain in your wrist, I’ll do something about that too. Your pain is my pain.”
What if a girl happens to fall in love with a seemingly ordinary man and later discovers that he is actually an Aghori? What if he has consciously held back his true identity for a hidden motive? Gaurav tells us that it is a story of love, mysticism and deceit. “It will shatter all the stereotypes surrounding love and happy endings. It will also present a saga which is set against the backdrop of the Aghori world,” he says.
Gaurav had his reasons for signing up for the show. He says, “When you have been around for so many years and have given successful shows, people start slotting you. Every time they construct another character which is similar to what you have played before, they call you. However, as an actor, you feel trapped because how will you explore and do new things? The whole point of being an actor is to be versatile where one can play different roles and live different lives.”
To play such a character requires a lot of research. Gaurav had 100 questions when he heard the script and he says, “I didn’t want to misrepresent Aghoris. I definitely don’t want to wreck something which is so sacred. I watched many documentaries and did the groundwork. I was surprised to see that there are Aghoris who are engineers and are well-educated. It is just a way of life. It doesn’t have to be in a form of a sadhu.”
Did his opinion change after doing this show? Well, he says that he had to modify his outlook even before he started doing it because “how will I play with conviction if I do not get myself into the skin of the character.”
However, this show is not the only thing that he has up his sleeve. Gaurav teases us about Avengers: Endgame, by saying that he is probably the only person who has seen the much-hyped film as “I am the official voice behind the character of Thor in the Hindi version,” he chuckles.
(The show will soon premiere on Zee TV.)
Photo: Pankaj Kumar
