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Saurabh Pandey always wanted to become an actor and therefore moved to Mumbai two years back. He was even lucky to sign two films but they did not work out. But Saurabh didn't give up. What kept him going were music videos. He also decided to audition for TV serials and finally landed a role in Synergy Adlab's Jiya Jale.

In fact, after he was selected to play the lead in Jiya Jale he got a call from Balaji for a show but Saurabh refused. "By the time I was called by Balaji I was already doing a workshop for this show and there was no point in walking out of Jiya Jale. It is a daily but conceptually it is not confined to kitchen politics. More than a soap it is a daily drama," says the young actor.

Ask him what's the difference between the two and he says a daily drama is more cinematic where the story comes first. "But a daily soap follows certain convention and grammar. Often it is far-fetched, stretched, addictive and vicarious. Jiya Jale is a drama serialised on a daily basis and follows certain kind of visualisation and dramatic conventions," he adds.

At heart Jiya Jale is the love story of a young girl called Sunaina who struggles to find a balance between independence and family values. A wealthy architect comes into her life and they seem destined to be together. But they are caught up in a whirlpool of hatred, deceit and betrayal which changes their lives. "But even in the most trying circumstances, the two hold their love for each other above all conventions," says Saurabh who plays the rich architect Chandan in the show.

Elaborating more on his role, Saurabh says Chandan hails from a big business empire, yet has always dreamt of working for the poor. "Chandan is honest, righteous, just and morally strong. He is very close to his mother, but is at loggerheads with his father. He is a visionary architect who believes in raising the standards of the underprivileged with his architectural plans. He feels that love and marriage are great emotions, but not meant for him as he is focused on his work," he reveals.

But which way does the love story go? "Well, when Chandan and Sunaina meet they fall madly in love and feel passionately for each other. But situations tear them apart," is his tongue-in-cheek reply, adding, "They are forced into different directions." Recalling his days of struggle in Mumbai, Saurabh says he came here after doing his schooling and higher secondary in Dehradun.

"I didn't know how to go about asking for work. Since nothing was happening, I did a course in acting. But getting work was quite difficult. Films didn't happen. But I am glad that I am doing television and playing the lead in my debut show," he says in conclusion.

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