Familiarity breeds challenges

Mona

Ashish Sharma is a multifaceted guy. Graduate in fashion technology, this painter and writer from Jaipur pursued theatre and landed in the city of dreams, Mumbai, to fulfil his dream to be an actor.

Trained at Anupam Kher School of Acting, he had his fair stint of struggle; no, he did not sleep on platforms but did face rejections for close to three years before work came his way.

Seen as Chandragupta Maurya and also the winner of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 7, he would, now, woo the audience as the ‘maryada puroshottam’ in Siya Ke Ram.

In Chandigarh, on Tuesday, Ashish looked comfortable talking about his role in the magnum opus, comparisons drawn to Arun Govil and his take on Rama.

“It was something that I had never done on screen before. Preparing for the role was easy as well as tough. On one side, one could draw from Rama one has witnessed on stage, shows and adaptations. On the other hand, to pull off an image that’s part and parcel of society comes with a huge challenge,” admits Ashish.

Comparisons with Ramanand Sagar’s Ramyana keep popping and Ashish silences the critics, “Even I grew up watching that and am a huge fan. We hope that we are able to create the magic that it did.”

Though this story is told from the perspective of Sita, the milestones remain the same. “It’s a very well researched show and interestingly different scriptures have plenty of narration on Sita that has been overlooked in different renditions,” shares Ashish, who admits being in awe of the queen who chose companionship of her husband in forest for 14 long years over luxuries that the palace life offered. “Little is known about Sita. As Janak’s daughter she was exposed to literature and spirituality. And it was her call to go to vanvas with Ram sacrificing the lavish lifestyle as a queen.”

The show charts Ram-Sita’s journey right from their childhood and is largely based on Valmiki’s Ramayana. What it differs in is not just the perspective from which it is told but also the presentation. While mythology shows have always been over the top and dramatic in presenting characters, this show takes a rather real take.

“I believe every decade a Ramayana should be made. There is so much that we can learn from our epics.”

The show sets have been set up in Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad, it’s also been extensively shot in West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and plans are to take the unit to Sri Lanka next with an aim to keep it real.

Ashish sure has enjoyed exploring something new but he is also aware of the fact that this role offers no room for error for here people’ emotion and faith is at the stake.

Watch this story unfold on Star Plus, starting November 16, 8 pm.

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