sourabh Raaj Jain is one the most versatile actors of Indian Television. He showcases some of which are extreme roles like divine Krishna to cruel Dhananand and few modern ones as well. What is important to note is that he aced in each one of it. In an exclusive interview with Just ShowBiz Sourabh talks about his various roles, his new venture in Patiala Babes and more.
Since you are playing a chef, what all can you cook?
I am honestly not much of a cook, as cooking has never been my forte. Though when I first moved to Mumbai and was living a bachelor’s life, I did learn the basics of cooking, so I can just about ‘cook to survive’
You are playing a modern character after many years, how is it different than playing historic/mytho ones?
I have in the past portrayed a variety of different modern characters in shows like Remix, Uttaran and Parichay and now after a long gap I am going to be seen doing something very different in Patiala Babes which I am quite excited about! It of course is very different from a mythological role, as that is more of a costume drama and related to history and historical facts, whereas normal roles are more character oriented and can be worked and altered upon depending on how that particular character is shaping up as well as how the audiences are liking the character as well.
People are talking about age gap between you and Ashnoor Kaur, what do you want to say about them?
I honestly don’t feel that an age gap should really matter while working on the show, as at the end of the day we are actors, portraying our respective roles in this profession, and it is the way we portray the role that eventually matters!
Patiala Babes’ viewers are loyal to their favourite character played by Anirudh Dave, do you think it will be hard for them to accept a new male lead?
My character again is going to be seen in the show post the leap, bringing in a fresh start to his entry. So he is going to be a totally new face for the viewers, with his own backstory about his life as well bringing in something new to the ongoing track in the show. Hence I don’t see this being anything similar to the present faces in the show, and I am sure the audiences are going to like this freshness that my character Neil Oberio is all set to bring into Patiala Babes.
How is working with Ashnoor? Do you both have understanding between yourselves as a co-actor?
I have just begun shooting for Patiala Babes a few days ago, and I am yet getting to know Ashnoor and the rest of the cast and crew as well, but they have all been very friendly, helpful and hospitable towards me which made the first few shoot days a very comfortable experience for me.
From Remix to Patiala Babes, how do you see your journey?
The entire journey has been an amazing experience of a lifetime for me! From getting a golden opportunity to play some of the most iconic mythological roles to being part of one of the most loved youth shows of all time, Remix and even experimenting with a negative shade on screen, and participating in my first ever reality show, I feel that I have been able to showcase a lot of versatility in regards with the work I have put out there! And I am extremely happy and proud of all that I have been able to achieve in this journey.
Please share the first reaction of your mother and wife when you gave them the news that you will be playing a chef in your next.
My mother has in fact been following the show right from the beginning, and she is quite fond of the entire concept and all the characters in it, so she was of course very happy to know that I am now going to be a part of it too! Ridhima also was very happy to see me getting into a show which is currently sending out the message of empowering women!
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Sourabh Raaj Jain is currently seen on the show Patiala Babes.
Sony TV’s drama Patiala Babes recently witnessed a five-year leap that led to the exit of the lead actors Paridhi Sharma and Anirudh Dave. The show now focuses on Ashnoor Kaur’s character Mini and her step sister Arya (Saisha Bajaj). Joining them, Sourabh Raaj Jain is seen essaying the role of Chef Neil Oberoi, the new hero in the daily.
Sourabh, as readers would know, started his television career with the youth show Remix. After playing a baddie in Uttaran, the mythological genre came calling for Jain. He aced his performance as Lord Vishnu in shows like Jai Shri Krishna and Devon Ke Dev Mahadev, Lord Krishna in Mahabharat and Lord Shiva in Mahakali: Anth Hi Aarambh Hai. He also tried the historical genre recently playing Dhanand in Chandragupta Maurya.
In an exclusive conversation with indianexpress.com, Sourabh Raaj Jain shared how it’s refreshing to don a ‘normal’ character in Patiala Babes. He also spoke about playing a chef, participating in Nach Baliye and his hopes from the coming year.
Here are a few excerpts from the conversation.
What was about Patiala Babes that made you take up the show?
What made me take up the show was the role, storyline and the backstory of my character’s life, which actually interested me the most. Also, it was mainly after meeting Rajita Sharma and Vivek Budakoti of Katha Kottage, who are the producers and writers of the show; I was truly convinced to take it up. The way they explained to me about how my character and the show’s storyline would shape up, was what made me take up the role.
How excited were you to get into a normal character after so many costume dramas?
(Laughs) It has been quite a refreshing change for me. It is something different from the past shows, that I have done in the last few years. So breaking free from that mould of costume drama and entering a new space altogether after so long made me quite excited. My character Neil Oberoi is a passionate chef by profession and is quite an intriguing and interesting personality. He has a tough exterior but quite soft-hearted from the inside.
Have you followed the show? What’s your take on it?
My mother has actually been following the show right from the time it started, due to which I was always updated on how it was doing. I personally feel that its concept is quite lovely. The message it has been putting out about empowering women, especially with a daughter pushing her mother to stand up for herself is quite impressive.
Patiala Babes started off as the story of a mother-daughter bond but has now shifted to showcase the bond between step-sisters. As an actor, do you feel its right to change storylines mid-way?
This kind of a call to change the story is the director and producer’s decision.
You are paired with Ashnoor Kaur in the show. Do you feel the audience will be able to connect with the jodi?
Irrespective of our age gaps, we are both actors at the end of the day. How we portray our roles on-screen is what will eventually count.
Since you are playing a chef in Patiala Babes, how much of training did you undergo? Can you cook in real life?
When I first shifted to Mumbai years ago, I was living a bachelor’s life and so I do know the basics of cooking. In simple words, I can ‘cook to survive’. So there wasn’t any kind of training I underwent for this
Talking about your wife, you recently participated with her in Nach Baliye 9. How was the experience, especially working with your better half?
Participating in Nach Baliye really helped me show people who Sourabh Raaj Jain is outside the mythological space, which I am very happy about. And speaking about working with Ridhima on screen, well it was her very time ever on television and it was a happy moment for me. Other than that I was also so proud of the fact that we both did so amazingly well in the competition.
The year is about to end. How has it been and what can we expect from you in the coming year?
2019 has been an amazing year for me, with so much experimentation in regard to my work, as well as some lovely family time with my closed ones, which I am very grateful for. I am now just hoping that 2020 brings in a lot more happiness, luck and good opportunities my way.
Patiala Babes airs Monday-Friday at 8:30 pm on Sony TV.
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