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After essaying the popular role of Mihir Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Rishabh Bajaj in Kasauati Zindagi Kay, Ronit Roy will switch over to another popular character on Indian television.
Ekta Kapoor's Kahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki will see him play Bhishma, earlier played by Mukesh Khanna in BR Chopra's version of Mahabharat.
He talks to Rajul Hegde about his new role.
How did you get the role?
Ekta Kapoor told me that she was making a spectacular Mahabharat, and I said that I would love to be part of the show. I read the Mahabharat, and was convinced that if there was a character I wanted to play, it had to be Bhishma. I sent an SMS to Ekta and told her that I wanted to play Bhishma. She agreed.
Why did you want to be a part of this show?
I respect Ekta Kapoor's creative judgments, and I like working with her. I only take up projects that excite me and feel passionate about. When I was approached for Mahabharat, I had informed Balaji that I wanted to finish my current projects and then start with this show and they agreed.
Why Bhishma?
Bhishma is one of the most powerful and beautiful characters in Mahabharat. The character is larger in magnitude and I am proud that I am playing Bhishma. At the same time, I'm very scared and nervous too.
The first face that comes to mind when you think of Bhishma is Mukesh Khanna.
I am proud to play the character of Bhishma, which Mukesh Khanna essayed in B R Chopra's Mahabharat, and made history. The new generation has not seen the old Mahabharat; they will be seeing it for the first time. So it will be a big challenge to get accepted. It's a huge task and I will try my best to justify the role.
Mukesh Khanna said in an interview that it is dangerous to remake an epic and that it will be a flop.
Mukesh Khanna is a senior actor; he has every right to give his opinion. As far as the show is concerned, whether it is going to be a hit or a flop, we will know once it goes on air on July 7. Let us leave it to the audience.
Since this is your first mythological show, did you have any problem with the dialogues?
I speak good Hindi. I had a problem with chaste Hindi for a couple of days. Now, I'm used to it.
What kind of preparation did you do for this role?
I prepared at two levels. One, being the son of Ganga signifies purity. He would also have the qualities of his father, Shantanu, a Kshatriya king. The journey of Bhishma from Gangaya to Bhishma Pitama reflects various shades. To depict so many shades makes it challenging for an actor. I have to keep both in mind and make sure my mannerisms fit my character.
Tell us about your look.
The look and the costumes are very different from what we would normally imagine. We don't have mukut and golden armour. There is a different kind of headgear for different characters. I am very comfortable with the traditional costume, dhoti.
Tell us about the shooting experience.
I have been shooting for this show for the last two months in Wai, Ladakh, Jaipur and Mumbai. We shoot for 10-12 hours a day. We are trying to keep an episode bank since the show will be aired before the scheduled time.
It has been a fantastic experience. This show is produced by one of the biggest production houses, Balaji Telefilms. Ekta has a great vision and is producing Mahabharat on a bigger scale than the earlier one.
What next?
I am just doing Kyun Ki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Mahabharat.
Watch Kahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki starting July 7, from Monday to Thursday at 9pm on 9X.