Conversation with Paras Chhabra from Vighanharta Ganesha

How were you approached for the show?

Team of Vignahartha Ganesh had seen my performance in my previous shows and they felt that I was suitable to play this role. It was the production that thought I could play Raavan with conviction and hence they approached me. Knowing how good and loved the show is I had no second thoughts and I agreed.

You will be seen playing a contrast character from your previous shows, what is your take on that?

I have always maintained a healthy mix of daily soaps and mythological. Having played the character of a Casanova and another mythological character Duryodhan, thing become rather easy. However, it is for the first time I will be playing Raavan, the biggest villain of all time. As an artist, we all look for work that challenges us and this role came to me at the right time. I have working on my body as well as I feel that I am at the right phase of my life to play a role like this. This role comes with a lot of work especially homework which I am really ecstatic about.

You are playing the powerful character of Raavan, how did you prepare for your character and your dialect delivery?

Playing Raavan is an excellent learning opportunity for me. He is considered the biggest Shiva Bhakt, is the biggest villain ever, lived for lakhs of years and he is considered as the abode of knowledge. Playing such a powerful personality is quite a challenge. For starters the dialogues are quite difficult which require a lot of preparation and rehearsals. To be able to justice to the dialogues I spent many hours practising them, till I got the perfect “Sur”. I also needed to spend hours brushing my acting skills to look the part I am playing.

For getting the perfect look also I am working really hard. From growing my beard to working out in the gym for hours to achieve the perfect shape of Raavan. My crown itself is of 12kgs which is very restrictive however because of all the work that I have been doing in the gym it is really making it easy for me. Shooting with all the jewellery and entire costume on is another challenge but at the same time exciting and a new learning for me.

How was your experience with the cast and crew of the show?

Cast of the show is really amazing and it is one of my favourite shows that I have watched from the very beginning. Till now I have shot with Shiva, Parvati, Nandi and Ganesh and have not met others but I have seen them on TV and they seem to be doing a great job in their roles. In the crew, people are very humble and really talented and hardworking. Our set is full of energy and positivity which really helps a performer to deliver better. My team is always ready to help me with my dialogues and scenes. I think that the way they work, I have a lot to learn from them to become a better actor.

Are you a shiv bhakt?

Absolutely! I am an ardent Shiv Bhakt. Still, I did not know everything and all the tales of Shiv. I am learning a lot while playing Raavan. So, I am really glad and feel blessed that I got to play the role of a Shiv’s real Bhakt. I will tell the stories on 19 avatars of bhagwan Shiv to Ganesh. I think everybody should follow our show and get to know about Shiv. There are so many things we can learn and apply to our lives that would help us lead better and peaceful life. While I was prerparing for my role, I discovered that Shiv gave the name Raavan to dashanan the mighty king of Sri Lanka.

What was your reaction like when you were offered the role of Raavan?

When I was offered the role of Raavan, I was both scared and excited at the same time. Playing a character like Raavan is a big opportunity but it does come with a lot of expectations. I was a bit scared about people’s expectations. Then I thought I have done a mythological character before so it shouldn’t be that difficult. However, first day on the set, I realised how difficult it was actually going to be.

What would you like to say about the look?

The look and appearance is extremely extravagant. From Dhoti to heavy jewellery and the Mukut which weighs 12 kgs, everything brings out the authenticity and royalty of the character. It takes many hours for me to get ready. After I am ready, the look itself gives me additional energy and strength to act as Raavan and shoot for hours.

How excited are you to be sharing screen with your off-screen beau?

When it was finalised that I am doing this role, I was very excited on sharing screen space with Akanksha, thinking, we would travel for shoots together, would work together but everything is different. We hardly shoot together. We have only one scene together and we would be seen together only in one episode that too for a few minutes.