20-year-old debutant actor Aakarshan Singh, who plays superhero in Zee TV's upcoming Maharakshak Aryan, tells SANGEETA YADAV how getting selected for this sci-fi show and portraying Aryan was an uphill task. This 13-week superhero trilogy will go on air from November 1 at 7pm

What kind of a superhero is AryanIJ

He is an 18-year-old college student who works with a radio station. On his 18th birthday, he gains supernatural powers which he inherited from his late parents who were rakshaks of Naagmani (a powerful gemstone) and fought with the enemy to protect it. His uncle and aunt brought him up. Unaware of his magical powers, Aryan, the maharakshak, is a very innocent to begin with. How he transforms into a confident, mature and fearless superhuman is what the series is all about.

Is Aryan a sci-fi showIJ

It has all the elements to entertain the audience. There is a love angle between Aryan and RJ Manasvi, played by Abigail Jain. There is a bit of fun as well.

How difficult was it to play the characterIJ

Irfan sir, the character designer of Aryan helped me a lot to understand the nuances of the role and how I should enact it in front of the camera. Deepak Das, martial arts trainer, who trained Tiger Shroff for his debut film Heropanti, taught me basic martial arts and Parkour free running style. From body language and dialogue delivery, to performing stunts on the harness and fight scenes, I was trained for everything by the best the industry. It helped me get into the character.

How was your experience of performing stuntsIJ

On my first day of the shoot, they hung me mid-air and I was very nervous even though there was a harness. I couldn’t find my balance and was swaying. But slowly, I got used to being suspended in the air. Of course, doing stunts yourself means injuries as well but I have no complaints. It’s part and parcel of performing stunts.

Do we get to see you wearing hi-tech suites and gadgetsIJ

 Aryan’s look is similar to any college going student — jeans, T-shirt and spectacles. That’s the USP of the show. He has no special suit or weapon to fight the evil forces.

What was more challenging — getting selected for the show as a lead or  playing a superheroIJ

Both. During auditions, I was given two scripts, one of a naïve college going student and other of superhero. I sat for my turn but when it came, I got nervous and didn’t give the audition. But then I realised that I have from Delhi to Mumbai but to make a place for myself in the industry. So, I stood in front of the mirror and practised.

I went back the next day to give the auditions. My hard work paid off and I got selected. But the most difficult task was to imagine the enemy in the same room which is in reality empty and fight. The stunts are performed with a green background what we call croma in technical language.

What is the best part of this showIJ

We’ve shot some episodes with real snakes. I was awestruck to see Reshmi Ghosh who plays Vishkanya, romancing the snake without fear. Working with such tremendous actress and others like Khalid Siddiqui, Abigail Jain, Rishabh Jain, Parineeti and Shabnam Pandey is a fun experience.

Your favourite superhero in real life...

I have been a huge fan of Shaktiman since I was a child. I have grown up watching him saving lives and protecting the world. Also, Spiderman is an all time favourite.