Akshay Mhatre on joining the cast of Shirdi Wale Sai Baba as Vishwanath Shende: He's someone who believes power can heal his wounds

Shirdi Wale Sai Baba will bring viewers closer to the essence of faith and spirituality and spread hope and positivity through its compelling storytelling and layered characters. Adding a layer of intensity to the narrative is actor - Akshay Mhatre, who steps into the role of Vishwanath Shende, a young and fiercely ambitious Tehsildar from the British era. With dreams of becoming a Collector, Vishwanath arrives in Shirdi on a mission that blurs the lines between duty, disbelief, and destiny.

As Vishwanath conspires to dismantle the faith people have in Sai Baba, he finds himself facing failures at every turn, each one only strengthening Baba’s divine image.
Confimring his role, Akshay Mhatre shares, ”I feel truly grateful to be part of a show like Shirdi Wale Sai Baba that connects so deeply with audiences. Vishwanath is a complex character shaped by trauma, loss, and ambition. He’s someone who believes power can heal his wounds, and that makes his journey both intense and emotional. Playing this role has allowed me to explore a wide range of emotions, and I’m looking forward to how viewers will react to his transformation.”

Earlier, Vineet shared, "Honestly, it's more than just a role, it's a divine blessing. Sai Baba’s teachings have always inspired me, but to embody him on screen is humbling beyond words. I feel like this show chose me, not the other way around. Every day on set feels like a spiritual experience. It’s a huge responsibility when you’re portraying someone people worship. It’s not just about getting the look or body language right, it’s about radiating his calm, his wisdom, his unconditional love and kindness. That takes surrender, not performance."

It will be interesting to see how Akshay will add a new layer to the show with his character.