Mumbai, April 16 (NationPress) Actor Tarun Khanna has taken on the role of Lord Shiva over 440 times, stating that this journey has profoundly transformed him as an individual, particularly enhancing his levels of patience.

Tarun has depicted the formidable Mahadev in various productions including Karm Phal Data Shani, Radha Krishna, and Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki Devi Adi Parashakti, as well as in Katha Vishwas Ke Itihaas Ki, Santoshi Maa, Param Avtar Shri Krishna, and the Telugu film Akhanda 2. Recently, he has also been performing in the theatrical production Hamare Ram.

In his own words, Tarun expressed, “I have portrayed Mahadev more than 440 times on stage, and it has fundamentally changed me. My patience has increased, and my innate kindness has resurfaced. Each new opportunity enhances the experience, and I am thankful that my craft allows me to touch so many hearts.”

He mentioned that the performances for Hamare Ram occur every weekend, sometimes even twice a week. “Once the show starts, there’s hardly any time for preparation. I am the first on stage, performing my complete Tandav in one go. If we have two shows, I perform it twice a day, and on some occasions, even more than 5-6 times,” he shared.

Discussing the challenges of repeatedly portraying the character, he remarked, “It’s a blessing that God has chosen me for this role. I do not take it lightly; each performance brings its own nerves. My entire team is aware of my anxiety, and it will always be there as long as I play this character.”

For Tarun, the greatest challenge lies in embodying the grace and presence of Lord Shiva flawlessly. “A single misstep during performance could tarnish the image of the deity, which I cannot tolerate. The dynamics of stage and television are markedly different, each with its own set of challenges and advantages.”

He elaborated, “On stage, the major benefit is that you perform it once, and it’s done. However, for TV, you might have to shoot for long hours, with shifts lasting up to 12 hours, making it quite challenging to wear costumes and wigs for that duration.”

“There are times when scenes can take over a day to shoot, while in theatre, it’s just one take in front of more than 2000 people, which is quite daunting. Nevertheless, performing on stage brings a sense of satisfaction that I cherish more,” he added.

Tarun also shared his thoughts on the public perception of actors, which is often scrutinized. “I acknowledge that our image is under constant observation, and it's essential to act with mindfulness to avoid setting a negative example. This applies not just to me but to all actors who influence the public,” he concluded.