SIDDHARTH NIGAM, who plays a 2500-year-old asura in Hero-Gayab Mode On on Sony SAB, speaks with SHALINI SAKSENA about his reaction on getting this role and challenges faced

What was your reaction when you were offered to play a 2500-year-old asura?

When I was approached for the project, I was not told what character I was being offered. I was only given the brief. They told me that they already had their main lead. And now they were looking for a person who was more powerful than this superhero — someone who can make the hero a superhero. I was interested. I felt that the show was unique. I have always tried to do projects where I could be different from what I had done in the past. When I was offered this role, I was excited. However, when I was told that I would be an asura, I was taken aback a bit but I was told that I would remain in my human form; just that I would have superhuman powers. The best part was that I would get to be part of the project with my brother.

How did you come on board the project?

I was lucky that I didn’t have to audition for this project. The producer of Peninsula Pictures, Alind Srivastava offered me this role. He said that he wanted me to be part of this show and play Shivaay. I agreed and here I am.

What are the challenges that come with playing Shivaay?

There were quite a few. First, Shivaay’s voice is a bit heavy. I am unlike Veer Nanda (Hero) who is street-smart. I am all-powerful and strong. Then there is the look. I have tattoos and initially it would take up to two hours to get ready. Now, of course, it doesn’t take that long. Also, the dialogue delivery is different; he is extremely intelligent. Whatever he says has deeper meaning. How this has to be conveyed had to be practiced.

Do you get into fights with your brother — off-screen?

Onscreen, I am obviously trying to turn him into a superhero, so there are fight sequences. Off-screen, sometimes we have differences of opinion and get into verbal fights, as is normal. We sometimes end up in a WWE kind of situation. But we are brothers and respect each other. The good part is that we have no ego clashes.

How did you get into acting?

I never wanted to be an actor. My background as a gymnast left very little time for any recreational activities. If I ended up on the news, that was enough for me. I was in the hostel; I didn’t have a mobile; we had to practice for eight hours a day. That left little time for anything else. It never occurred that I would end up acting. I have a Gold in parallel bar and a Silver in high bar at 58th National School Games, Pune and during one of the games I was spotted and was approached for the audition of Bournvita ad. That is how I came into the industry. It was destined.

Was it tough to do the ad?

It was tough. I had no acting background. I have never taken any classes. It was difficult to face the camera, well-known actors and memorise dialogues and deliver them with emotion was so alien to me. This made me nervous. But I was determined that since I was offered to play a part I would do it to the best of my abilities. So, I worked really hard.

You have done a couple of movies. Why not pursue Bollywood?

I am sure that there is something really big that will come my way from Bollywood. I am also looking at roles that I can play in web series. Since I came into this industry I have always tried different roles. I know only one thing however big or small the screen may be, my job is to give my best.

You have done a few music videos. How has the experience been?

Doing music videos is so different from serials. There are two types of music videos. One where there is a song and there is a boy and or a girl and they go dancing about. Then there are videos that tell a story. What I have done comes under the second category. I love doing such music videos since they are shot within two-three days; it is a stress-buster. Listening to music and performing it is very relaxing.