‘Mom dressed me as Krishna, I wanted prasad’

he calm demeanour of Saurabh Raaj Jain while portraying Krishna/ Vishnu on television has been loved and appreciated by many, especially during the rerun of shows Mahabharata and Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev in the lockdown. And now, on Janmashtami, Jain fondly recollects how his first stint with playing Krishna goes back to his childhood, in Delhi.

“I remember my mother getting me ready in Krishna’s attire for an event in a temple nearby. I was so young, I did not think I’ll reprise the role in future; I only cared for prasad,” he chuckles.

The Delhi boy remembers his college days, when he was pursuing a computer applications course, and how he would hang around his college in Kalkaji. “It was less about the fav spots, and more about being with friends. We roamed around Nehru Place, many a times for our assignments, but mostly just for ‘time pass’. College days were fun; from canteen gluttony to bunking for movies to participating in events, I did all of that,” he says.

Acting came calling when he was in second year. “Acting was something I never thought I’d be part of, but I wanted to have a career in something creative,” he says, sharing how he later moved to Mumbai and became a household name with his depiction of popular mythological characters. Ask how was his experience to be part of shows that have millions of viewers even after years, and Jain says, “My experience doing these shows was fulfilling, and to see it running once again and being appreciated, is overwhelming. I’ve always believed I did not play the character, it played me. And I like to believe it did change me for good, both as a person and as an actor. People still ask me to dress up (as Krishna) and attend events, but I don’t do appearances in Krishna’s attire.”

Jain will keep Janmashtami celebrations subdued this year. “I plan to celebrate Janmashtmi at home with my family for everyone’s safety,”

he concludes.