Actor Ayush Shrivastava, who plays Rudra in Zee TV and Rahul Kumar Tewary’s Jagadhatri, is currently seen in a completely transformed avatar. Presently, Rudra strikes menace in a disguised avatar featuring braided dreadlocks, a changed skin tone and a distinct overall appearance.
While the look may appear stylish and effortless on screen, Ayush admits that carrying it was anything but easy. “Yes, it’s quite difficult. We don’t really have a habit of keeping long hair. I salute all the female actors who style their hair and carry themselves with such elegance. But the look is quite different, and it is completely as per the requirement of the role,” he shares.
Interestingly, Jagadhatri has also transformed, something Ayush feels adds another layer of entertainment to the ongoing track. “We also get to see a new side of JD, and I think that’s good for the show,” he says.
Rudra’s disguise is central to the upcoming sequence, especially when he encounters Shivay without either of them recognising each other. “Basically, that’s the plan. Even I don’t recognise that he is Shivay. That’s how the character has been built,” Ayush explains.
He reveals that the transformation is not limited to his appearance. “I haven’t added any particular accent to the language. When he talks to his own people, there is certain lingo that fits the character. It is mainly to fool the people around him. The idea is that nobody should be able to identify him,” he says.
The actor also had to endure the heat while wearing an outfit more suited to colder weather. “It’s too hot. I just want this sequence to get shot as fast as possible,” he laughs.
The drastic transformation even left Ayush startled. “When I looked at myself in the mirror, I was terrified. I refused to acknowledge myself. But as an actor, I’m enjoying it, although it is very tough,” he admits.
As for the reactions from his co-stars, Ayush reveals, “Shivay was making fun of me and was really enjoying it, while Tapasya refused to meet me in a fun way.”
With several tracks now converging, Ayush believes Rudra’s story is only getting bigger. “This is just the build-up. There are a lot of dynamics and relationships that will be at stake in the upcoming episodes. I have only one thing to say to my fans—keep loving me, because what is coming is pretty amazing.”
And would he want to continue sporting the unusual look? His answer is clear: “No! It’s actually difficult to carry, and anyway, it’s a disguise, so it will most probably last only for a couple of episodes.”
Interestingly, Ayush says the character’s aggression and tone were built largely through instinct. “I didn’t learn the accent from anywhere. It was instinctive while building the character. I was actually inspired by animals—their aggressiveness, the accent and the tone.”
