Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday is a significant occasion celebrated across India, holding special meaning for both his supporters and those whose lives are intertwined with his. It is a common phenomenon that when a person achieves a position of eminence, their look-alikes also gain recognition.
This is the narrative of Vikas Mahante, a Mumbai-based businessman, whose life took an unexpected turn due to his uncanny resemblance to PM Modi.
Vikas Mahante, a resident of Malad, Mumbai, lived a typical life. His routine consisted of managing his steel packaging business and returning home in the evening. However, a simple change in his appearance one day altered everything. He grew a beard, which significantly transformed his look. Initially, he couldn’t have predicted that this new look would redefine him.
Upon going out, people often stopped to stare at Vikas, smiling and frequently asking for selfies, mistaking him for PM Modi. His face, beard, attire, and even his mannerisms closely resembled PM Modi, prompting him to clarify that he was not the actual Prime Minister.
The most significant turning point in Vikas Mahante’s life arrived with the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. His popularity soared to the extent that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) enlisted him to campaign in Maharashtra and Amritsar. The public’s eagerness to see him was so high that his rallies attracted large crowds. He addressed the crowds as a look-alike of PM Modi, endearing himself to them. During this time, he also made a significant impression on people through his speaking style.
This distinctive identity of Vikas not only kept him in politics but also opened doors for him in Bollywood. He secured a small role in Farha Khan’s film ‘Happy New Year,’ where he played a PM Modi look-alike. Subsequently, he appeared in films like ‘Mission Mangal,’ but his most special project was the 2017 film ‘Modi Ka Gaon,’ in which he portrayed the Prime Minister. The film showcased the policies and development initiatives of the Modi government, presenting a significant opportunity for him.
During a special interview with TV9 Hindi Digital during the promotion of his film 695, Vikas Mahante shared that he first encountered PM Modi in Gujarat in 2014. At that time, Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. Upon seeing Vikas, Modi couldn’t control his laughter. He assessed Vikas from head to toe, then smiled and asked, “There are Lok Sabha elections, have you planned any promotion?” This meeting became a memorable moment for Vikas. Although he couldn’t meet him again after he became PM, he still gets emotional recalling that meeting. Today, Vikas Mahante is not just a businessman or a look-alike but is also known as an artist and a social worker. Apart from acting, he often participates in various events held in the country and abroad as a look-alike of PM Modi and conveys his positive message to people.