"Siddharth has set a benchmark, taking it here on will be a challenge!" - Mohit Raina

Mohit Raina needs no introduction. 

After enchanting the audience by essaying Mahadev and the various shades of Lord Shiva in the mythological show Devon Ke Dev Mahadev, the actor has now taken over the role of Emperor Ashoka Samrat earlier essayed by talented young artist Siddharth Nigam. 

In a conversation with Tellybuzz, Mohit shared details about his prolonged wait and desperation to portray Ashoka! 

Projecting larger than life characters gives a different high! Post Mahadev, I was looking at something extraordinary. We wrapped up the show in December and Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat launched in February. I have been waiting for the leap to happen since the time the show started so I could audition for the role. 

Siddharth Nigam has done a fabulous job and as people wanted to see more of him, preparing for the audition got tougher and challenging. I have worked hard to get a physique similar to Siddharth. I had made up my mind that this is what I want to do as it feels nice to essay varied characters. I am looking forward to performing my best!

Characters' merging into actors and vice versa used to happen way back in the 80's when people had limited options to accessing channels. People nowadays know which actor is essaying what character and what the actor's interests in real life are. As an actor, I performed the character I was assigned to and now that the show is over, I will try to give my best to the next role I am chosen to do. 

With regards to the audience accepting me as Ashoka; if you would have asked me this question earlier, I would have thought alike but I have played a lot of characters apart from Mahadev and my name has entered the Limca Book of World Records. The journey of Mahadev went through various transitions. The character of Mahadev will always remain close to my heart. So to answer your question, getting acceptance as Ashoka is difficult but not something I cannot break into.

I enrolled for basic horse riding and sword fighting. 

Obviously, Siddharth has had a journey of about 400-450 episodes and I will try my best to convince the makers and audience in two months of time that I am the elder version of Ashoka. If the character gains acceptance, well and good, and if not, I guess we will plan to introduce Siddharth back again as Ashoka's son!

History being an interesting subject people will learn a lot about the kind of emperor he was. I personally loved the hardships he had to go through to reach his throne. He became a rebel, a good notorious son, and a good brother. These shades will build up the character.

Well, there is a romantic angle to my character too. But doing a dramatic role is something I cannot see myself fitting into. Fictional daily soaps are different than historical or mythological shows as the thesis are written and there is a lot of scope to perform. A lover boy won't go through the same journey as Ashoka. Hence, the adrenaline rush to perform such characters is more, and I consider myself fortunate because not many people can bank upon such opportunities.  

I did not get the right subject. I didn't enjoy the projects being offered. To do justice to a role, I need to be affirmative about playing it and this comes from within. Maybe, I will mold myself to do a different genre when I satisfy my greed to play larger than life characters! 

It has been 11 months only that I have not been seen on-screen. I traveled and spent time with family. 

Most definitely! I am a good dancer and would love to be a part of Jhalak Dhikla Jaa!

Good luck on your journey as Ashoka Samrat, Mohit!