Hitesh Bharadwaj reveals conceptualizing 'Mann Ka Panchi' in an 'emotionally restless' phase: 'Was going..'

Actor Hitesh Bharadwaj, currently seen in Sony TV's Aami Daakini, recently stepped into the world of independent music with his latest project, Mann Ka Panchi. What makes this music video stand out is that the concept and emotion behind it come directly from Hitesh himself. In an exclusive chat with India Forums, he opens up about the inspiration behind the song, the emotional space it emerged from, and the creative choices that shaped its raw and honest tone. He also reflects on his journey from a small town to Mumbai and how those experiences continue to influence his work.

Could you walk us through the journey of the song? What first inspired the idea, and how did you develop it creatively from that initial spark to the final version?

Mann Ka Panchi didn’t come from a place of planning it came from feeling. I was going through an emotionally restless phase—uncertainty, longing, that strange in-between space where you’re chasing something intangible. The song poured out of that space. I didn’t sit down to “write” it; it just started flowing. Creatively, I knew I didn’t want to make it too polished or forced. Even while directing the video, the idea was to keep it raw, honest, and close to how the emotion originally hit me. Because sometimes, a cracked voice or an imperfect take carries more truth than something technically perfect.

Were you also working on Aami Dakini when you filmed this music video?

Yes, I was. It was one of those crazy phases where I was shooting intense sequences for Aami Dakini during the day and editing or planning the video for Mann Ka Panchi late into the night. The worlds were completely different one mysterious, surreal; the other deeply personal and rooted in realism. But maybe that’s what made it work. That duality gave me a strange kind of balance.

You have come to Mumbai from a small town, and the video beautifully captures the essence of someone chasing dreams in this big city. When you look back at your own journey, do you feel a connection with the story? Was the concept inspired by your personal experience?

A hundred percent. The story in the video is my story in many ways. I came to Mumbai with dreams and trembling hands. My first place was a tiny room in Jankalyan Nagar, Malad, which I shared with two others. I used to take the 79-number bus to Andheri for auditions, often arriving already drained, clothes wrinkled, carrying hope and fear in equal measure. There were nights I didn’t know how I’d pay rent. Days when rejection made me question everything. But I never saw giving up as an option. That raw, honest journey that’s what Mann Ka Panchi is about. It’s not just a song. It’s a piece of my past.

With Mann Ka Panchi, Hitesh Bharadwaj draws from personal memories and emotions, turning them into a story many people can relate to. The song, born from a time of restlessness and quiet resilience, reflects the challenges and small victories of his own journey; from a small town to building a life in Mumbai. It serves as a reminder that behind every creative work is a real experience, often uncertain, emotional, and honest.

On the professional front, Hitesh Bharadwaj continues to impress audiences with his performance in Aami Daakini, where he plays a complex and layered character that adds depth to the show’s mysterious narrative. Known for his versatility, Hitesh has previously earned appreciation for roles in shows like Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin, Iss Mod Se Jaate Hain, Choti Sarrdaarni, and Agar Tum Saath Ho.