Actor Ian Nene of Machachari: I didn’t grow up with many positive male role models

Former “Machachari” actor Ian Nene, also known as Almasi, shared insights into the challenges he faced during his troubled childhood and his transformative spiritual journey in a recent interview on the Man Talk Podcast.

Nene opened up about the toxic environment of his childhood, particularly the abusive behavior of his stepfather after his biological father left. He acknowledged the lack of positive male role models during his formative years, expressing the impact it had on his perception of masculinity.

Growing up without a good example of men in his life, especially with his biological father absent, Nene emphasized the importance of mature and confident male figures during his youth.

Nene also discussed his spiritual journey, highlighting his shift from Christianity to Hinduism. Raised in a Christian home where questioning religious beliefs was discouraged, he started exploring spirituality during his university days in the UK. A significant turning point was receiving a book from a friend who identified as a monk, leading him to seek spirituality beyond the confines of Christianity.

The actor recalled a moment when he learned about his mother’s stage four breast cancer diagnosis and how he coped with the pain by resorting to smoking weed. This period prompted him to become a vegetarian and connect with monks who introduced him to a temple, where he spent significant time, especially during holidays.

Nene’s spiritual exploration resulted in profound lifestyle changes, including embracing vegetarianism and immersing himself in the teachings of monks. He attributes his current spirituality to a deep and scientific understanding of God’s role in the world, addressing his questions and finding solace in his transformative journey.