I came to Mumbai with Rs5000 and one bag: Sourabh Raaj Jain

MUMBAI: Known for his role of Lord Krishna in Mahabharat and Lord Shiva in Mahakali — Anth Hi Aarambh Hai, actor Sourabh Raaj Jain is an inspiration to many. Not many know the struggle which the actor went through to become a part of the showbiz.

“I chose acting against my parent’s will and came to Mumbai with one bag and Rs5000. At that point of time, I was doing Remix. Living in Mumbai wasn’t easy as it seemed, especially for a person coming from a middle-class family like me. Most of my friends here came from well-to-do families, while I was not from a similar background. After Remix, I thought of giving acting a break and continue with my studies but money was an issue. So, I joined a call centre and used to do night shifts while I studied throughout the day. After completing BCA, I got a role in Balaji Telefilm’s Kasamh Se and then Parichay,” said Sourabh.

Once he became a permanent part of the industry, he worshipped his work and burnt the midnight oil to achieve success. “I used to do double shifts to continue shooting for Mahabharat and Devon Ke Dev… Mahadev. To be able to do this, I used to travel daily from Umbergaon to Mumbai and then back again as both the sets were located at different locations. I even learned Telugu for the Telugu film Om Namo Venkatesaya that I did as I didn’t want to use flash cards to speak my lines. During Mahakali, I had to do a Tandav sequence. This was very challenging for me as I have never danced. But I guess it came out well,” he added.

Sourabh believes in versatility and consciously chooses shows which allow him to play different characters. “Playing different characters helps you explore your craft and acting abilities. From acting in youth-based shows like Remix to donning God on-screen, I have always tried to pick up different work. I also anchored crime-based show Savdhaan India and did comedy in the show Hazir Jawab Birbal. I also hosted a radio show, Arth,” concluded the actor.