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The documentary series 'Secrets of the Buddha Relics' is telecasted on 22 January 2024 on Discovery Plus and on 26 February 2024 on Discovery Channel. This series has received very good response from the audience. This series is hosted by Manoj Bajpayee.
Earlier, Manoj Bajpayee has also been the host of the documentary series 'Secret of Sinauli' and 'Secret of the Kohinoor'. The special thing is that these three series have been made by Neeraj Pandey. With whom Manoj Bajpayee had worked in the film Special 26.
Manoj told that a person connects with spirituality only after seeing death. At the same time, he also said that he wants to do a biopic film of Lord Buddha and Chandragupta Maurya.
Manoj has been seen as a host in 'Secrets of the Buddha Relics'.
The effort was to ensure that people could connect with all three series.
Manoj talked about the making of this series. He said, 'When Neeraj Pandey and director Raghav Jayarath sent this story to me, I already knew about the story of Secret of Sinauli. I read news regularly, hence I was aware about it.
After this, when its shooting started, I had a meeting with Neeraj and Raghav ji. In which we decided that we will do it in an engaging manner. Our effort was to show it in a dramatic manner so that people don't get bored with it. Our effort was that people should be able to connect with this story and also be aware of all the facts of the research.
We have treated all three series differently. We presented the Series of Sinauli to the people in a mysterious style. On the other hand, we presented Secret of Kohinoor with a dramatic flair as it had both drama and thrill.
At the same time, we could not present Secret of the Buddha Relics in front of people in a mysterious or dramatic manner. The reason was that here we had to show the last stage of the life of Lord Buddha. In such a situation, we captured the feel of that time to show this story, so that people can connect easily. As a result, our hard work bore fruit.
Director said- Most people are unaware of the last stage of Buddha's life.
When the series director Raghav Jayarath heard this, he said, 'When this story came to us, we also enjoyed listening to it. When we as an audience connected with it, it seemed that the rest of the audience would also connect.
The second special thing was that everyone knows about the early life of Buddha. But not many people know about his last days. It gave us an opportunity to spread awareness through the story, which became a big reason for joining this series.
While making this series, we paid maximum attention to one thing. We had made it clear from the beginning that we will not impose our views on the audience. We will not express our opinion on this matter. We will just present the things found in the research in front of the audience, but will not give any judgment on it as right or wrong. The audience will understand whatever things they find right and the way they want to understand them.
Director Raghav Jayarath.
The story and research of the series encouraged me to host – Manoj
During the conversation, Manoj also told the reason for joining this series. He said, 'I did not have much knowledge about Buddha's journey. However, I belong to a place (Bihar) where one can see their stupas at every kilometre.
We brothers and sisters have played near his stupa in our maternal home, but earlier we did not know what its glory was. However, now all these things have come under the control of the National Archives.
The main reason for telling this is that earlier we were not able to protect our historical things as well as we do now. The last journey of Buddha's life has been very secret. There has been a lot of mystery in it. There have been many contradictions among people on this matter. That's why first knowing about this thing, then increasing my knowledge and then making people aware about it, this thing connected me with the series.
Producer said – join the series to tell people the story of Lord Buddha
Producer Sheetal Bhatia also told the main reason for joining this series. He said, 'Almost everyone is familiar with half the life of Buddha. But most people do not have any information about his last journey.
For this reason, our effort was to tell people about the last journey of Lord Buddha through this series, hence join this series.
Producer Sheetal Bhatia.
Manoj said- Man can connect with spirituality only after seeing death closely.
Regarding Buddha and spirituality, Manoj said, 'See, there is a great blessing of spirituality on earth. All the gurus, sages and saints have said similar things on this subject. Everyone has been attracted by death and everyone is attracted towards the mystery of death. Like if there is death, then why did we take birth? Spirituality begins on this question itself.
Buddha's spirituality began when he saw people carrying a dead body. Buddha's spiritual journey began from there. Yogis and saints connect with spirituality only when they question death for the first time. Like where will all of us humans go after death? Is this the last birth or is there something else after this?
Almost all yogis and sages and saints have the same opinion on this. But on this, Buddha has shown the way as to how we can decide the preparation to go ahead on this journey. This is the reason why Buddha is the greatest yogic heritage of our earth.
I believe that Buddha had reached that stage where he had renounced the body and things related to it.
In childhood, Manoj felt that his parents stay together all his life.
Manoj further said on this, 'See, I was inclined towards spirituality since childhood. Death itself surprised me. Uncle's death shook me. Till then I thought that my parents would always be with me. But uncle's death also forced me to think why we were born. Will my parents really not be there?
I was also afraid of losing my parents because of this. This is the same question that comes only with death. Struggling with this question, people turn towards spirituality.
All these questions of mine got answers when I found a spiritual guru.
Manoj is ready to work in the biopic of Lord Buddha
Manoj also gave his opinion on working in a film based on the life of Lord Buddha. He said, 'Of course, it would be a privilege for me if I get a chance to play his role. Yes, it is a different matter that you will have to keep your head shaved for a long time.
Manoj said- I want to play the character of Chandragupta Maurya on screen.
Manoj told during the interview that he also wants to do a film on Chandragupta. He says, 'I wonder why no work is done on Chandragupta. Of all the kings who have ruled our land so far, the most golden time was when Chandragupta ruled.
In this regime, there was Chandragupta and Chanakya, who had won so many wars. Our country was called the golden bird because of the period when Chandragupta was the ruler. History says that rivers of milk really flowed at that time.
