Playing Shiva and Jalandhar simultaneously is challenging, says Sourabh Raaj Jain

Actor Sourabh Raaj Jain, who is essaying the role of Shiva in Siddharth Kumar Tewary’s Mahakaali - Anth Hi Aarambh Hai, is also portraying another character, Jalandhar. “I don’t think calling Jalandhar an avatar would be appropriate but yes, he is born out of Mahadev’s third eye which embodies anger. Playing Shiva and Jalandhar simultaneously is challenging especially when I have to be both on the same day. But as an actor, it’s fulfilling as well,” he says.

The actor adds that both are characters are very different, which makes playing them both more interesting. “Shiva’s character in our show is very calm and composed, who motivates his wife to make her own decisions and pushes her to attain her full potential. But Jalandhar is shown to be out-and-out in love with Parvati to an extent that he wants to possess her no matter what. The mannerisms of both the characters are totally different. I am glad I got this opportunity to play both simultaneously,” he says.

Getting ready for both characters is taxing, says Sourabh. “For Shiva’s character, I get ready within one hour but Jalandhar’s character takes close to two hours. The forehead tika takes the maximum time and since I am not used to wearing lenses, it takes some time for me to wear blue lenses for Jalandhar’s character,” he says, adding, “People on the set are loving Jalandhar’s look a lot, and even I like it.”

Ask him if he can relate to either of the characters and he says, “I can’t identity with any of the two characters, both are extreme and larger-than-life. I am common man, so it’s tough. But I try and give my fullest to every character I get to play with the directions and support of able people around me.