Exclusive! Yediyur Shri Siddalingeshwara actor Vallab Suri: Never thought I'd come out of a few issues in life; I started believing in miracles now

Actor Vallab Suri, who essays the titular role in the devotional show Yediyur Shri Siddalingeshwara, seems to be exploring life in a ritualistic manner. Although he had earlier been a part of mythology shows like Ramayana and Mahabharatha, the actor avers that he is emotionally connected with his ongoing on-screen character of Saint Siddalingeshwara. In an exclusive chat with ETimes TV, Vallab Suri opened up about his on-screen character and the miracles he has witnessed in his personal life.

Post the Covid-19 scare, I decided that I should concentrate more on movies and not TV projects. Also, I had already acted in two mythology serials earlier. So, when I was offered the role of Yediyur Shri Siddalingeshwara, I was a little skeptical about accepting it. But, when I got to know that Naveen Krishna sir is directing the show, I was very thrilled and gave a nod to the show. Well, I did not know much about Yediyur Shri Siddalingeshwara and his power before doing the show. I knew that there is a temple and devotees kept visiting it often. It was only while doing the show I got to know more about it.

Usually, whenever I take up such devotional or mythology shows, I start thinking very ritualistically. I perform Saligrama puja on a daily basis and chant Gayatri Mantra. So, all of this helps me build concentration. I watched the Kannada movie based on the life story of Yediyur Shri Siddalingeswara. I even read the 'Guru Charitre' to know more about the life of the saint. All of this helped me get under the skin of the character even better.

I was very lean when I accepted the project. So, Naveen sir asked me to gain a little body mass to fit into the shoes of the on-screen character. I also had to work on the shape of my face. They wanted me to look chubbier. So, I had to work on that. Nothing apart from this.

I used to go bonkers every time I read the dialogues. But somehow, it got very easy the moment we started to shoot. This happened every time. I still fail to understand how I had delivered such difficult dialogues in a very easy manner. Maybe, it's all the blessings of Yediyur Shri Siddalingeswara. If you ask me to narrate the same dialogue again, I would never be able to do that. No matter how much I try, it just does not happen again. So, I strongly believe that it is all because of Siddalingeshwara guruji's blessings.

No one can really recognise me when I am my normal self. My look entirely changes the moment I am out of my on-screen character's costume. So, it's a little difficult for anyone to recognise me. In a way, I am happy because I can roam around easily wherever I want. On the other hand, as an artist, I do want to experience that fame. Of course, I want to be recognised for my work. It also pinches when no one can recognise me in my original avatar.

Working in the entertainment industry is very unpredictable. You never know when opportunities will come your way. Personally, I never got any opportunities when I looked out for them. Opportunities kept knocking on my door when I decided to not concentrate on any other work. I have acted in ten daily soaps so far in my career as a lead actor. All of these opportunities came my way and I did not go in search of it. In a way, I feel I am lucky. Not every artist is blessed with a good number of projects. I have seen my buddies in the industry struggling a lot to get that one break in their career. So, comparatively, I feel I am lucky enough.

Although I am getting opportunities in other shows, I don't want to give up on doing Yediyur Siddalingeshwara. I am emotionally connected with my on-screen character now. There has been a lot of growth in my personal and professional life ever since I started playing Siddalingeshwara Guruji. There are many artists in the industry but if I have got the opportunity to play the role of Siddalingeshwara, I feel I am actually blessed by the saint himself.

On a personal front, all my difficulties owing to the economic crisis and a few family issues are getting resolved. I am able to open a production house along with my buddies. We are coming up with two movies under our banner. There are many things happening through our production house. So, everything is slowly falling into its place. I strongly believe that all of this happened only after I started acting in Yediyur Shri Siddalingeshwara. Considering all of these, I really believe in miracles now. I never thought I would come out of a few issues in my life. Although we put in our hard work and effort, the miracle factor is always present in everyone's life.

600 episodes have definitely not been an easy one. But, we as a team are happy about this milestone despite facing many hurdles. The shoots had come to a halt during the nationwide lockdown owing to the Covid-19 scare. Coping with that was a difficult challenge. The fact that we have been receiving much appreciation and love from the viewers is worthy, given all our hard work. It gives us immense happiness to be a part of a devotional show.