Ram Yashvardhan plays the titular role of Hanuman in Dangal TV’s Jai Hanuman- Sankat Mochan Naam Tiharo. Excited about the show, the actor talks about bagging the part and more.
“I was contacted by the channel. The casting took time as many people were there in line but by God’s grace, we did three-four mock shoots before finalising the look and now I am playing the role,” he continues about getting into his character, “To get ready as Hanuman I take around two and half hours. It depends on the prosthetic masks that are put on the face. Sometimes it takes less time, sometimes it is more.”
Unlike regular daily soaps, such mythological and religious shows require more of an actor’s time and energy. “One of the differences between a daily soap and a mytho show is the language. In a daily soap if you forget some lines in between then you can improvise because you know the context but in mythological shows you have to speak the language of that particular era which some actors don’t know, so you have to stick to the lines. Also, it takes a lot more energy than a daily soap as your character is larger-than-life and your lines must be proper. And, of course, the make-up takes time,” he says.
Ram is a Hanuman bhakt. “I feel lucky that I got this role. While playing Hanuman, when I take Ram Ji’s name, it feels that I am blessed. Couldn’t ask for anything more,” he shares.
About the best compliment he has got for his look and role, he adds, “When my look was revealed for the first time, people said that I was looking like real Bajrangbali ji. When viewers saw my performance they related me to Dara Singh and it’s a very big achievement for me to hear this.”
Ram is enjoying working with seasoned artists like Apara Mehta. “She is an amazing actor, everyone knows her. Whenever I have my scenes with her I get to learn many new things. She is always ready with the lines and up to the mark. She is very down to earth and a lovely lady,” he says.
Ram shares his learning from the entertainment industry over the years. “The first biggest learning from the entertainment industry is consistency. You, your body and your craft is like a shop and whenever you are approached you have to be ready with your product. You never know which opportunity knocks on the door. Secondly, patience is very important. You give auditions, then shoot and in the entire process you keep learning new things. Also, you should be very humble to people as each and everyone is working so much. We as actors take breaks in between the shoot but the crew is always on their toes, so you have to be respectful towards everyone,” he adds.
Ram’s fans think that his tall height and broad physique is an asset. “It’s a blessing from God. I am mostly into serial’s and I think that the males who are tall and broad are put into negative shades and others usually get positive roles. I have seen so many of my friends cut down on their physique as they want to get into the positive lead character. In old films, Dharmendra Ji and Vinod Khanna were so tall and broad and were the leading actors but nowadays tall and good-looking guys are given the negative. That does not mean I am against negative roles. Whatever work I get I give my best in it. The important thing is to work on your craft,” says the actor.
The TV industry is very competitive. “Every field is competitive. No matter which post you are on, you have to be prepared. Why to face the competition rather than become the competition? Give yourself time to make yourself better in your own field,” he adds.
Keep watching Jai Hanuman Sankat Mochan Naam Tiharo from Monday to Saturday at 7 pm only on Dangal TV.
