Cillian Murphy Reveals Reading Bhagavad Gita for Role in “Oppenheimer”

Hollywood actor Cillian Murphy revealed that he turned to the Bhagavad Gita for inspiration while preparing for his lead role as American physicist Julius Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated film “Oppenheimer”.

The movie, chronicling the life of Oppenheimer, often referred to as the “father of the atomic bomb,” is set to hit theatres on July 21, 2023.

Murphy’s revelation has sparked significant interest online due to Oppenheimer’s famous reference to the Gita after the successful testing of the first atomic bomb in 1945, uttering the iconic quote, “Now I become Death, the destroyer of worlds.”

During an interview with film critic Sucharita Tyagi, Murphy was asked about Oppenheimer’s connection to the sacred text, to which he revealed his own appreciation for it.

“I did read the Bhagavad Gita in preparation, and I thought it was an absolutely beautiful text, very inspiring. I think it was a consolation to him, he kind of needed it and it provided him a lot of consolation, all his life,” the actor expressed in a video shared on Tyagi’s YouTube channel.

When inquired about his personal takeaways from the book, Murphy light-heartedly responded, “Well, don’t grill me on it! I just found it very beautiful.”

“Oppenheimer” delves into the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the renowned scientist who spearheaded the Manhattan Project—an endeavor aimed at developing an atomic bomb during World War II.

Alongside Murphy, the film features an all-star cast including Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt, and Florence Pugh, among others.

Video courtesy: Sucharita Tyagi