TOI: 20 yr olds proposing me-Surendra

Actor Surendra Pal, now better known asPrajapati Daksh from Devon Ke Dev... Mahadev, is loving his new-found popularity

Second time lucky Life does not always give a second chance, but it did to the actors of Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev, feels Lucknowite and actor,Surendra Pal Singh, now popularly known as Prajapati Daksh. "Three flop actors made one serial a hit," laughs Surendra, who was recently in Lucknow for the shooting of a Bhojpuri film. "It is so interesting that Mohit Raina, Mouni Roy, Sonarika Bhadoria and even I... we all were flop actors, who suddenly became popular with Mahadev. Before signing the show, none of us had any idea that characters of a mythological show like this, when youth-based serials and saas-bahu soaps are the flavour of the season, would be able to do so well. It is all divine grace," he adds.

Enjoying the fame And now, Surendra is enjoying every bit of the recently gained fame. "It is so strange that people come to me, especially ladies, and Touch my feet addressing me as Mahadev ke sasurji and will ask me to bless them. All this used to happen when Mahabharataand Ramayana were first telecast and there was only one channel and limited shows," he says. Surendra's fan following doesn't stop there. "I have girls aged between 20 and 30 years, proposing marriage to me! I don't know what has happened to them that they want to marry an old guy like me! Recently, when a girl proposed to me I told her that she can actually date my son since they are of the same age," he laughs.

Happily single But Surendra says he is happy being single. "I separated from my wife long back and since then, I have been living with my three beautiful children. My life revolves around them. It is time for me now to help my son settle in life and not think about me finding a life partner. And waise bhi, I have so much to keep me occupied. Ab yeh social networking sites ko hi le lo. You know, all thanks to Facebook, I am now connected with my bachpan ke dost. In fact, I also connected with my first girlfriend recently! Saari puraani yaadein taaza ho gayi," he blushes.

Politically correct Surendra has had political inclinations too. "Sonia Gandhi offered me a ticket to contest elections from her party twice, but at that time I didn't have time," he claims, "But now I do plan to enter politics. I am not sure which party, but I love the way Akhilesh Yadav has managed his party. I have been Friends with Shivpal Yadav for more than 30 years and I love the way Tipu (Akhilesh's pet name) is managing the whole state." So will he be joining the Samajwadi Party? "You never know," smiles Surender.