Walking tall among those present at the launch event of serial Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani , Siddhanth Karnick, who essays Ranaji’s role in the show, displays the regal demeanour in all its glories without bordering on arrogance. The pleasant smile and a pleasing face only adds to it.
A gentleman to the core, he remains composed even when interrupted by a lady seeking autograph for her child.
In a brief interaction with The Hindu , he talks about the serial, his role and his co-actors.
Edited excerpts from the interview:
What attracted you to the role?
I am enacting the role of person who is very complex. He has many layers and wears a lot of masks. And slowly as the story proceeds, the narrative takes off one mask after another bringing about a change in him. It is Gayatri (Dhrashti Dhami) who does it and makes him more human and bringing a certain joy in his life that he had lost. There is a gamut of emotions involved in this character I play.
What were the challenges involved?
I had to learn horse riding, attend diction classes to ensure correct pronunciation and enunciation. I will be playing polo too later in the serial for which I will be tutored. Also there are a lot of army sequences in which I figure. The toughest was wearing heavy suits while shooting in Bikaner during summers – virtually sweating it out. But all this has been wonderful and a part of great experience.
Your experience with your co-actors.
My rapport with Dhrashti is excellent. So far I have shot scenes with Anita Raj ji only. She is an excellent and exceptional human being.
She was also my fitness partner. After shoots in Bikaner she and I used to go for our workouts together and she used to beat me in every workout I did. I am very happy to have her play my mother’s role in the serial.
What is the highlight USP of the serial?
The backdrop in this show has never been shown in Indian television before. The royalty so far depicted on the small screen has been one dimensional but in this show we are showing the fall of royalty who put on the façade of being rich when they have nothing in their coffers. Even though in essence it is a love story it also depicts the historical events of that period.
What next after “Ek Tha Raja…”?
Well if some film project comes up I will definitely consider it but as of now it is only and only Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani .
