Ssharad Malhotraa who played Sagar in Banoo Main Teri Dulhann, is the grown up Maharana Pratap that all were so eagerly waiting for. The actor tells SANGEETA YADAV that even he doesn’t know what unfolds in the show after the leap but whatever is planned is high on drama and emotional content
You are the grown-up Maharana Pratap. How does that make you feelIJ
As of now, we have only shot the introduction sequence of Maharana Pratap in Jaisalmer. That was the scary part. Now that the intro has been shot, I think I will be able to manage the rest pretty well (laughs). One of the reasons why I wanted to play a historical character was because I wanted Gen Next to be aware about India’s rich heritage.
Faisal Khan has played the younger Maharana Pratap to perfection. Did he have a word of advise for youIJ
A few months before the leap, I used to visit the sets just to observe Faisal. During one of those visits, I was introduced to him and Faisal started calling me bhaiya. Since then, I see him as my younger brother. He is a seasoned actor, a manjha hua khiladi. He taught me how to manage a horse, among other things.
Do you think you’ll be able to keep up the popularity of this showIJ
Faisal played Maharana Pratap for a year-and-a-half and his performance was liked by one and all. Now, the onus is on me. I have to take the show forward and I am confident I will not disappoint the fans of MP. I’ve come fully prepared to do justice to this role. I have learnt martial arts and spent a lot of time reading books on the great warrior. I even watched periodic movies like Mughal-e-Azam and Jodha Akbar to get my stance right.
How did you manage to impress the casting directors of this showIJ
I was in for some luck that day. But it was not as easy as it sounds. I was called for many rounds of auditions before being finalised.
Do you have a problem with the heavy costumeIJ
It is a different kind of an experience. The get-up is super heavy. Sometimes, I find it difficult to move about in that heavy attire but that is the only challenge. Nikhat Neerusha, costume designer, has done fabulous work. It takes me 45 minutes to get ready daily but I am not complaining.
How is the chemistry between the adult Ajabdeh and MPIJ
Ajabdeh is played by Rachna Parulkar who is a trained dancer and has worked in popular shows like Saat Phere, Sapnon Se Bhare Naina and Ek Mutthi Aasmaan. When you have such a talented and hardworking actress working as your co-star, it drives you to give in your 100 per cent too. Rachana is a delight to work with. Her professional attitude makes it easy for everyone on the sets.
How does the story progress post the leapIJ
We are as clueless as the audience. We are only given a script of the upcoming episode and asked to prepare our lines. According to the latest promos, the story will revolve around Pratap’s love life. His warrior avatar will also be shown in full flow. As the story goes, Ajabdeh is his favourite wife. The show will also focus on the emotional relationship that Pratap shared with his beloved horse Chetak.
Your father is a well-known architect. Did you also want to go down that lane at any point IJ
If I was an architect, the building that I would have created, would have collapsed the very next day. As an actor, I think I have found my calling in life. This is where I belong.