‘Ram is the ideal man’-Gurmeet

Q. How did you bag the role of Ram in Ramayan?
The Sagars offered me the role after they saw me in Mayavi on Jaya TV. They had auditioned several actors but were not satisfied with the result. But when they saw me in Mayavi they asked me to give an audition. I am lucky that I got selected to play Ram because I am a staunch Ram devotee and it's a dream-come-true for me.

Q. How did you bag the lead role in Mayavi?
I was a stage actor and have done theatre for two years in Jabalpur before I got to play the lead role in Mayavi which I had to quit when I was selected to play Ram. I didn't think twice before accepting the role.

Q. How did you prepare yourself?
I had several meetings with the channel's programming team and the Sagars. Anand Sagar who was involved in the making of Ramayan for DD is also part of this project. He made me understand the character and his mannerisms. It took me almost a month to prepare for the role.

Q. Don't you see the danger of getting typecast in mythological shows?
The days of typecasting are over. Arun Govil lived with the image of Ram for a long time because in those days there was only one channel. Today there are many channels and many shows. A good actor can easily come out of any image.

Q. Does the character give you scope to prove your versatility?
Yes, it does. Ram is called Maryada Purushotam. He was not only an ideal man and King but also a warrior. The range of the character is huge and has many shades.

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