He shot to fame after playing Lord Ram in Ramayan and rose to stardom as Maan Singh in Geet Hui Parayi. Since then he has been a part of several TV shows and films. The actor speaks with SHALINI SAKSENA about his reaction when he was offered to play Ram and his latest film

How did you cope with the lockdown?

It was good. Spent a lot of time watching series and movies. Reading books and spending time with my wife. When you are on the sets, you don’t get enough time to be with each other. I read a lot of motivational and biographies. I just completed reading Tuesdays With Morris. I read The Laws of Spirit World, How to Win Friends and Influence People and The Power of Positive Thinking. So, yes, a lot of books on mental well-being given that we need it these days.

From TV to films, how did that happen?

After Ramayan, I had started getting film offers. But the projects were small. Most actors in a hurry take wrong decisions. While I wanted to do a film but had decided that it would be with a big production house. Meanwhile, I continued to do TV and reality shows many of which I had won. This gave me name and fame. More people in the industry noticed me and I got Khamoshiyan, a Mahesh Bhatt and Mukesh Bhatt produced film in association with Vishesh Films.

TV actors don’t always manage to make it big. Why?

It is difficult to predict these things. There are no set rules. This will either make or break your film career. If one were to say that a big TV actor can’t make a career in films would be wrong. Shah Rukh Khan is a case in point. I just feel it is important to work with good producers. A good producer always insists on being associated with a good project and promotes it properly. Whether a film is a hit or a flop is a different story, what is important is that your work is appreciated and you prove that you are a good actor.

TV, films or web series, what would you prefer?

It has always been my dream to be a 70 mm screen and be watched with millions of people. There is a high that comes with it. I love films. But today, OTT platforms have become popular as well and are content-driven, there are plenty of opportunities here too. If a good project comes my way, I would take it up.

Has content-driven and entertainment combo opened more avenues?

Definitely. It is good for the industry that makers are experimenting. If a film has a combination of entertainment and content, people will love it. Also, such movies are doing well today and making people come up with better and bigger concepts which the production houses are willing to invest it.

Ramayan is being re-telecast on Dangal TV, what makes mythologies popular?

We have to understand that our epics are extremely popular and teaches us life lessons. Parents want their child to be a model citizen. These epics help inculcate good values. In many households, people read these on a regular basis but some can’t manage. Watching serials is a good option.

What was your reaction when you were offered to play Ram?

I was doing a series in the South playing a villain. Debina Bonnerjee was also in the show. I was young when the role came to me; I was 21. People told me that in order to get good roles, one had to look mature and older. I had a beard and sported slighted long hair. When the offer came, I thought I would do a better job as a villain. In South, they need well-built men. I was all muscle. To play a hero — Ram, I was not convinced since I was not sure how I would look clean-shave. But we did a mock shoot, I realised that I would fit the role.

Has there been any take away lessons from playing Lord Ram?

I was lucky that it was in my first show. My schooling started from there. It not only taught me how to act, but also how to be a good man. Ramayan kept me grounded. Before I got this show, there were days of struggle. When I got the role, I was humbled.

Did you envision that Maan Singh Khurana would become so popular?

I never realised that this would happen. Ramayan had given me so much fame. People would come and touch my feet and offer money. Before this, everyone who had done mythology was typecast. Once the show got over, I was only getting roles to play God. But I would refuse. I told myself that I was an actor and wanted to do diverse roles. It was a challenge for me to do a drama and was hell bent on doing Geet… to get a break. But the channel would keep rejecting me by saying I was Ram.

The producer insisted. I had given over 10-15 auditions. Then we decided to give a try and the channel loved it. The minute the show went on air, it gave me instant stardom. The character became such a rage. The serial helped me get noticed and I got films due to Maan Singh Khurana.

What next?

Just before the lockdown, I was doing The Wife for Zee Studio. Till now, I had been part of projects with two heroes. Here, I play a solo lead. There is a lot of responsibility. But due to the lockdown, we are now busy posting small videos on social media with a message in them.