Zee TV’s popular drama Jagadhatri is set for an intense turn of events as actor Ayush Shrivastava makes his much-anticipated comeback to the show. After a dramatic turn where his character, Rudra Deshmukh, was presumed dead, he is back on the screen—revamped, dangerous, and ready to shake up the narrative. Returning from the shadows with an edgy makeover, Rudra’s comeback signals a high-stakes war for dominance against his rivals.
Stepping away from his previous boy-next-door appearance, Ayush now sports an intense, devilish look complete with striking tattoos and a sharp haircut, reflecting the dark evolution of his character.
Speaking about his revamped avatar and the shift in his character’s journey, Ayush shared insights into building Rudra 2.0, in an exclusive conversation with IWMBuzz.com.
He says, “This version of Rudra is significantly darker, and his styling reflects that devilish intensity—from the tattoos to the new haircut. His earlier avatar was quirky with a cute side, but Rudra 2.0 is purely dark and driven. I’m discovering new layers to him as I play him. Metaphorically, this striking look signifies his fierce ambition to conquer everything around him and make things far more challenging for JD and Shivay.”
Transitioning to a radically different appearance during an ongoing show requires boldness, a step Ayush embraced despite missing his signature style. “I definitely miss my curly hair! I was actively involved in the look test discussions, and we worked through trial and error to match the vision set by Rahul Sir. As an actor, you have to shed your inhibitions. While I was initially hesitant to change a look people already liked, I decided to take the leap. Changing your look mid-stream takes guts, but it feels incredibly refreshing—almost like starting a brand-new show.”
With Rudra no longer operating under the constraints of home, his return is set to throw the lives of those around him into chaos, especially as he targets Tapasya and heads straight into conflict with his opponents. “Rudra 2.0 is going to play heavily with Tapasya’s emotions and manipulate situations with extreme intensity. He’s like the bad boy you simply cannot ignore. Viewers can gear up for non-stop entertainment and unexpected twists, especially since he’s taking JD and Shivay head-on this time.”
Expressing deep gratitude for the overwhelming support from viewers despite his character’s antagonist shift, Ayush added, “The love from fans has been incredible, and that affection is completely mutual. Knowing the audience supports me gives me the confidence to play Rudra with complete conviction. Even as a bad boy, I’ve received genuine love, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who has supported me on this journey. I can’t wait for everyone to see what’s next on their screens.”
