Mumbai, April 16 (NationPress) Actor Tarun Khanna has portrayed the role of Lord Shiva numerous times, revealing that this experience has profoundly influenced his personal growth, particularly in enhancing his patience.

Khanna has embodied the powerful Mahadev in various productions, including Karm Phal Data Shani, Radha Krishna, Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki, Devi Adi Parashakti, Katha Vishwas Ke Itihaas Ki, Santoshi Maa, Param Avtar Shri Krishna, and the Telugu film Akhanda 2. He recently performed in the theatrical piece Hamare Ram.

In his own words, he stated: “I have portrayed Mahadev over 440 times on stage, and this journey has transformed me as an individual. My patience has increased, and a sense of kindness that I had lost has returned. Each new performance enriches my experience, and I am thankful for the opportunity to connect with so many hearts as an actor.”

He mentioned that they hold performances of Hamare Ram every weekend, sometimes even twice a week. “Once the show starts, there’s little time for preparation. I take the stage first, performing my entire Tandav in one go. If we have two shows, I perform it twice in a day, and at times, over 5-6 times,” he shared.

Discussing the challenges of reprising the role, he expressed: “It’s a blessing from God to take on this role. It’s not an easy task, and I never take it lightly. I feel nervous before each performance, a sentiment my team is well aware of. This nervousness will accompany me as long as I portray this character.”

For Tarun, the most significant challenge lies in accurately depicting the elegance and presence of Lord Shiva flawlessly.

“A minor mistake during the performance could tarnish the god’s image, which I cannot accept. The dynamics of stage and television are vastly different, each presenting unique challenges and benefits,” he elaborated.

He continued, “On stage, the main advantage is that you perform once, and it’s done. In contrast, on TV, you may be on set for 12 hours, which makes wearing costumes and wigs for that long quite demanding.”

“Sometimes scenes can take a day to shoot, but in theater, it’s just one take in front of over 2000 spectators, which is the ultimate challenge. Naturally, I find performing on stage more gratifying, and it’s my preference,” he concluded.

Tarun also shared his thoughts on the public scrutiny surrounding an actor’s image. “I recognize that our public persona is constantly under examination, and it’s essential to be cautious about our words and actions to avoid setting a poor example. This applies not just to me but to all actors who possess any influence over the public,” he remarked.