Actor Rohit Saraf, who portrays freedom fighter Sachindra Nath Sanyal in the streaming series 'The Revolutionaries', has opened up about his personal views on violence as a means of social change — drawing a sharp contrast between his own life and the world his character inhabited. Speaking during promotional events in Mumbai on 16 September, Saraf reflected on privilege, armed resistance, and what it means to fight for freedom in two very different eras.

Saraf on Violence and Personal Privilege

At the promotions, where he appeared alongside director Nikkhil Advani, and co-stars Pratibha Ranta, Bhuvan Bam, and Gurfateh Pirzada, Saraf was candid about his stance. 'As Rohit, I do not believe in violence at all,' he said. 'Back then, the time that we're portraying in the series, at that time, Gandhi came in much later, at that time violence was the way, because they knew nothing better. In fact, they had to build their own weapons. They didn't even have access to it or they had to steal it. But now we're living in the 21st century, the times are very, very different.'

He went further, acknowledging the comfort of his own circumstances. 'Actually, I find myself in a position of privilege, because I've not had to go down the route of violence to get my ways. I am actually provided with everything in life, so I never even have to revolt for something,' Saraf said. He contrasted this with his character: 'Sachin, on the other hand, had no other option.'

The Character: Sachindra Nath Sanyal and Rash Behari Bose

Saraf described the ideological world of Sachindra Nath Sanyal with considerable depth. According to him, Sanyal idolised revolutionary leader Rash Behari Bose to an almost devotional degree. 'He worshipped him. He wanted to be him. That was his goal,' Saraf explained. Sanyal also reportedly felt his own family was not contributing enough to the independence movement because 'they worked in the shadows.'

Saraf noted that Sanyal's arc in the series is not one-dimensional. 'I'm so glad that we kind of explore the entire journey of how he understands the importance of non-violence even in a situation like that. So, yeah, as Rohit, I do not endorse violence at all in any way,' he added.

What 'The Revolutionaries' Is About

The series chronicles Indian freedom fighters who viewed armed resistance as not merely justified but essential to dismantling the British Raj. According to the show's narrative, it was the sustained pressure from these revolutionaries that compelled the British empire to shift its capital from Kolkata to Delhi. The show is produced by Monisha Advani and Madhu Bhojwani under the banner of Emmay Entertainment, and is written by Sanjeev Sanyal.

Where to Watch

'The Revolutionaries' is currently available to stream on Prime Video. With its exploration of ideological conflict at the heart of India's independence movement, the series arrives at a time of renewed public interest in pre-Partition history and the lesser-told stories of armed revolutionaries.