‘My weakness is my strength’

Mumbai: He started his career playing Krishna in Kahaani Hamaray Mahabharat Ki. Since then, Mrunal Jain has worked in a bunch of serials, with his latest character being Akash in the popular soap Uttaran. We talk to him about life, work and what it is that drives him to pursue it with such devotion.

On doing Uttaran
Uttaran gave me name, fame, everything. My character Akash changed my career.

On co-star Tina Dutta
She is a very close friend of mine and helps me unconditionally.

You are a very confident actor and person. Does it come from having a great physique?
Confidence doesn’t come overnight. I used to be a skinny guy once upon a time — all of 47 kilos. My friends used to call me hanger. Yes, a good body does give you confidence because you know that people are going to perceive you a certain way. A good body draws people’s attention and that certainly makes one feel better about oneself.
 
You have always experimented with your roles on television. Do you think it’s essential for one to reinvent in order to evolve as an actor?
It’s every actor’s dream to play different roles in his career and I am no different. I believe doing new roles helps you push your boundaries. Every time you do something new, you discover something new about yourself — it could be strength or a weakness. If it’s the latter, I challenge myself to get better at it, till the time it doesn’t turn into my strength. And when it does become one, the feeling is priceless.

There was a time when you were hospitalised for low blood pressure. But even then you came for the shoot the following day. Is this a sign of ruthless determination?
Yes, I was hospitalised because of low blood pressure. It was because of lack of proper sleep and irregular meals. But then I can’t miss a single day of workout. I just chanted the Navkar Mantra and went ahead with the shoot.