Interview - Mandar as Alladin

'Alladin' on Zee TV is being played by 20 year old Mandar who was also a part of 'Ravan' and did a movie with Sanjay Suri, 'Say Salaam India.'

Q. How do you feel about getting to play every child's favorite character?
A. It is a wonderful feeling. 'Alladin' is every kid's favorite character and it has been my favorite too. I also used to see the cartoon show as a kid. But I had never thought that I would someday be playing this character. I feel very happy playing it.

Q. Is it the same story about 'Alladin and his adventures' or are there any deviations from the original?
A. 'Alladin' is basically based on fantasy. Here, the writer can deal with the story in any way by retaining the main characters. This show focuses on Sultan, Jasmine, Genie and Alladin.

We have changed the monkey with Alladin's best friend in the show Zunaid, while we are not having the parrot. There are few changes but the story is the same and every kid knows the story. So, I don't think it is necessary to talk about the story.

Q. How did you land up with this role?
A. I had come from abroad when one of my friends told me that the auditions for 'Alladin' are going on. The next day I was in Andheri and wanted to check out the audition. After a few rounds of auditions, I was selected. Maybe they thought I suited the character and decided to cast me in the role.

Q. Who is playing Genie and is he funny like what we saw in the cartoon show?
A. Definitely. Arjun Dutt is playing the role of the Genie. The track going on right now is that Genie is waiting for Alladin to come and take him out of the 'Chiraag' (magic lamp). His track is very funny and Arjun has done it very well. Kids have fallen in love with the character. We are all happy with him and the response he is getting.

Q. Have you two become friends by now?
A. Yes, we have become good friends. But it's not just with him but with all other co-actors on the show, as we have been shooting since the last 2 months. While shooting in Baroda we have each other for company. So, we have bonded very well. We don't have any kind of problem with each other.

Q. You have done shows like 'Ravan' and a film called 'Say Salaam India.' How does it feel to do a full fledged lead in 'Alladin'?
A. 'Say Salaam India' was my first release and after that I was part of 'Ravan' on Zee TV as teenager Vibhisan and this is my third project. And yes I feel very happy that I am playing Alladin but this comes with a huge responsibility as well.

I am trying to give my best with the increasing responsibility. I do my work putting in all my efforts and to the best of my potential. I also try to learn to improve and do justice with the work given to me.

Q. How is Nazia who is playing Jasmine?
A. She has become a good friend and people have liked our chemistry on the show. She is a good actress and she is doing well. She also works towards improving herself. She is very hard working.

Q. Any interesting incident that happened on the sets?
A. There is nothing as such because a lot of things keep happening. But I hurt myself many times. In one such incident when I had to climb rocks and hills I fell down and hurt myself and had to take rest. I like to take rest in between.

Q. Tell us something about your family and studies?
A. My family comprises of my mom, dad and my small brother who is 7 years old. He is also an actor and is working in a movie. He won Best Child Artiste Award last year. This is my small and sweet family.

Right now, I am in Baroda shooting and they are in Mumbai, I will be meeting them in the New Year. We will be meeting after 1 month. I am dying to be with them

Q. Acting in your life was planned or did it just happen?
A. See, my father Subhash Jadhav has been in this field for the past 10 years. He is a director and actor. But he is not working for a while now.

So, I knew about this field and was in touch with it but never thought I will take it professionally as I was learning cricket from Ramakant Achrekar (Sachin Tendulkar's coach). When I didn't see a future in that, I took up NCC (National Cadet Corps).

After that when I started acting professionally, I couldn't figure out a few things then too but now I am a working actor. This is my career and I will work very hard to remain an actor.

Q. Every kid wants to own a magic lamp. Did you also want it?
A. Yes, like every kid I also wanted it. It's not just kids but whoever is facing bad time wishes to lay their hands on Alladin's Magic Lamp. I am happy that at least in the show I have a magic lamp if not in real life. For me working as 'Alladin' is like getting a magic lamp. -Sonu Anand