Actor Ram Yashvardhan, who gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Lord Shiva in the popular Colors TV show ‘Shiv Shakti – Tap Tyaag Taandav’, is transitioning from his long-running divine role to portray the character of Duryodhana in the upcoming mythological television series ‘Agyaatvaas’.
On the professional front, he is also known for featuring in shows like ‘Kahat Hanuman Jai Shri Ram’, ‘Paapnaashini Ganga’, ‘Jag Jaanani Maa Vaishnodevi’, ‘Jai Hanumaan Sankat Mochan Naam Tiharo’, ‘Yashomati Maiyaa Ke Nandlala’ and ‘Baal Shiv’.
Apart from mythological series, Ram has also acted in shows like ‘Choti Sarrdaarni’, ‘Ek Thi Rani Ek Tha Ravan’ and ‘Ali Baba: Dastaan-E-Kabul’. He also appeared in the 2012 film ‘Uday’.
On busting a myth about the TV industry, the actor said that quoting a lower price does not help in cracking a role.
He said, “There is one big myth about the TV industry that I would really like to bust, and that is – lower your budget to crack the role. This is the biggest myth, and many newcomers believe it. If you, as an actor, fit the character, if the production house, the director, the producer, the channel and the casting team feel that you are right for that particular role, then the budget does not matter at all. They will pay you what you deserve. This logic of quoting less money only works until the time the character is not that important.”
“But when it comes to an important character, especially a lead – leads are actually the face of the show. It is a different thing that the real makers are the creatives and the writers, because of whom the characters are created, but on screen, it is the leads who are seen. And in mythological shows, where the entire responsibility of the show is on the lead, on the positive leads, I don’t think any production house will ever compromise on casting,” he added.
Ram further shared that if he ever becomes a producer, he would never compromise on talent for money.
“If I ever become a producer tomorrow, I will never be stingy and think that this actor is asking for ten thousand rupees per day less, so let me cast him. If the actor who is asking for more money fits the role better and is a better performer, I will go for him. I will happily pay him that extra money. And that’s how it actually works,” he said.
“So this is the biggest myth, that if you reduce your price, you will get the role. Nothing like that happens. My advice is, keep your budgets good. Quote what you deserve. Keep your budget as it is; negotiations will happen anyway,” he concluded.
