Subodh Bhave to play Neem Karoli Baba in 'Shree Baba Neeb Karori Maharaj'

Subodh Bhave will play spiritual leader Neem Karoli Baba in the upcoming film 'Shree Baba Neeb Karori Maharaj,' which is scheduled to release across India on May 29, 2026. The actor, known for Marathi films such as 'Har Har Mahadev' and 'Vaalvi,' will portray the saint in a film directed by Sharad Singh Thakur. The story focuses on Neem Karoli Baba’s life, teachings, faith, compassion, and spiritual influence.

Subodh Bhave on playing Neem Karoli Baba

Bhave said director Sharad Singh Thakur had worked on the film for several years before the project came together. He recalled first hearing about the role in January 2025 from a writer friend.


“When Sharad ji wanted to make this film, he had been working on it for 4–5 years. He had tried earlier to bring the cast and crew together, but it didn’t work out. In January 2025, I got to know through a writer friend that he wanted to meet me. When we met, he told me about his vision to make a film on Baba and wanted me to play the role. At that time, I didn’t know much about him, I had only seen his photograph and had heard of him in passing. It was through Sharad ji that I truly got introduced to Baba and his life.”


Bhave said he believes such roles come to actors for a reason. “I always feel that when we are making a film about a saint, it is not the actor who chooses the character. The character chooses the actor. In my case, I feel Baba chose me to portray him.”

'Shree Baba Neeb Karori Maharaj' cast and release details

Bhave also spoke about the director’s preparation for the film. “Sharad ji had spent years understanding Baba’s life, meeting people who had lived with him and even interacting with his family. He shared every detail and every practice he had followed during those years. When your director comes with that level of preparation, you don’t need to look anywhere else. You simply listen and internalize everything.”


The actor said the role required surrender rather than performance. “As an actor, you often want to perform, but here, you don’t have to do anything. Baba does what is needed, you just have to remain devoted and surrender yourself.”


He added, “Whatever has been done in the film, I feel it has been done through me by Him. If people appreciate my performance, it is Baba’s blessing, if there are mistakes, they are mine.”


The film also stars Hiten Tejwani, Samikssha Bhatnagar, Mohit Gupta, Hemant Pandey, Aaratii Naagpal, Varsha Manikchand, Hardeep Kaur, Aniruddh Dave, and Garima Agarwal. Balram Garg, Balvir Singh, Sharad Singh Thakur, Khadag Singh Gaur, and Neelam Singh have produced the film.Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”