I’m happy that I’m being typecast as Shiva on the small screen, says Tarun Khanna

TV actor Tarun Khanna who has played the character of Lord Shiva in more eight TV shows, believes that playing Mahadev on the small screen has immensely changed his life in many way.

Ever since I started playing Shiva, the trajectory of my spiritual journey has changed a lot. There’s a vast difference between listening to the stories of Mahadev while growing up and performing on the screen. You realise that most of his preachings were practical. One of my most important life lessons while playing Shiva is that you don’t have to depend on others to carve your way. Do it your way, says Tarun.

While today playing Shiva comes easily to him, there was a time when he was sceptical about it. He says, “Not many know that it wasn’t Karmaphal Daata Shani (2016) but the film, Arasuri Maa Ambe (2014) (India’s first 3D mythological film) in which I played Lord Shiva.”

“During the shooting, there were a few aspects that didn’t go well for me. So when I was called for Karmaphal Daata Shani, I was very sceptical. But surprisingly things fell into place and since then there has been no looking back. I even received an award for my performance.”

“I wasn’t scared of being typecast. To survive in the glamour industry, one needs to be visible. It was the first time in many years that I was getting the remuneration that I deserved. So, it was a win-win situation for me," shares Tarun.

"To be honest, Mahadev is considered to be the best-looking god of all, so if I’m being typecast as him, then it’s a huge compliment for me. The day showmakers stop taking me in this role, mein samjhoonga ki mera time chala gaya,” says Tarun.

Playing the same character often on screen with very little scope of innovation can be tricky but this seems to be not true for Tarun. “Different karne ki zaroorat kya hai? If you are playing your character with full conviction and are dedicated to your role, the audience will love watching you in the same character.”

"The serial RadhaKrishna gave me a chance to explore the lighter side of Mahadev. Over the years I’ve portrayed the serious, heroic, and mature side of the lord, but RadhaKrishna has allowed me to understand many other lesser-explored aspects of the God.”