Telegraph India (Kolkata) speaks to Mohit Raina

Mahadev is the best thing to have happened to you...

Exactly two-and-a-half years back when STAR One was being relaunched as Life OK and they were makingMahadev, I did a screen test and they thought that I was the person to play Lord Shiva.

The journey since then has been beautiful. Initially we were not very clear how the makers wanted to project Lord Shiva, but now it has been almost two years and the story has been narrated in the simplest form, which everyone has connected to. I can relate to the character with ease now as I have been playing it for almost two years.

Were you initially apprehensive to play a mythological character, let alone a god, on screen ?

Well, initially, I was. But after that when I started meeting the makers and understood what exactly they had in mind and once I sat with them, I didn't have any doubts about playing Mahadev.

What do you attribute the show's success to?

The USP of the show is its story and the character of Lord Shiva, which has never been portrayed in this manner on screen. Every person can connect to that character in their own way. I have been hearing about Lord Shiva since childhood. The stories shown onMahadev reveal facts which were not showcased earlier, the viewers are hooked to them and now they want to know more about Lord Shiva. The story has been narrated in a simple manner and not been treated like a typical mythological show where you have a lot of over-the-top drama.

You have one of the best bodies in the business. With such a demanding schedule, how do you manage to keep so fit?

I follow a strict diet. I try and avoid carbohydrates post-sunset. I have a light meal in the evening. Just a soup or salad at night. During the day, I eat what I feel like. That's about it. And I go to the gym!

What's a typical day in your life like?

I get up in the morning, go to the gym where I spend around 45 minutes to an hour. Then I go for work at 10am which goes on till 9 or 10 or 11 at night, depending on how much work we need to finish in a given day. And then I go back home!

How do you react when people call you the sexiest god on screen?

Well... I just... (pauses) say thank you very much'. (Laughs) I don't have a choice!

What do you attribute your huge fan following to?

Television is a visual medium and your job is half done when you resemble the character you play. I guess what also worked in my favour was I did fit the bill of what they were looking for in the character of Mahadev. I was somewhere close to it. We worked on the looks and the hair locks and that is something people really like because I look like the calendar image of Lord Shiva!

How has life changed with Mahadev?

I started as a participant in Grasim Mr India in 2006. Then slowly, I started working in television shows and then Mahadev happened... a definite turning point in my career.

Post-Mahadev, there is no difference in me... I haven't changed much. The love that I have got from people is immense. Now they know who I am and love me for the character I play. They can relate to me but I am still the same, it's just that people have now started recognising and respecting me.

KNOW MOHIT

Was among the top five in Grasim Mr India 2006.

His debut TV show was STAR Plus's Antariksh: Ek Amar Katha.

Did the Bolly film Don Muthu Swami with Mithun Chakraborty.

As a teen, Mohit weighed 107kg.

Priyanka Chopra's aunt had reportedly shortlisted Mohit as a match for the Bolly actress!

A few months ago, there was talk of Mohit being approached to be a part of The Bachelorette India to woo Mallika Sherawat.

Mohit has been said to be dating TV actress Mouni Roy, but the actor is tight-lipped about his relationship status. Mouni played Sati in Mahadev.

SUPER 6 WITH MOHIT

The fun part of playing Mahadev: I don't need to stand in a queue!

Favourite moment on the show: Putting Ganesha to sleep.

If not an actor: I don't know... I never gave it a thought... I always wanted to do this.

Best compliment for the show: There are loads. People have really been appreciating my work. I can't remember anything specific.

Fan reaction in public places: They are surprised. They can't see me behaving normally, I guess!

Message for Calcutta fans: Please call me there soon! I would like to visit your city.