Actor

I have grown up on literature and mythological stories. They have fascinated me since childhood, and I believe every character that I portray on screen is an extension of my personality to some degree. That is why whatever role I play seems in my comfort zone.

If loving your job qualifies you as a workaholic, then yes, I am one for sure!

I love period dramas - be it romance or philosophy.

Whenever you give a shot, the nervous energy in your stomach is the key to that emotional breakdown, that kick that is needed to perform.

Working on television is much more stressful than working for a movie. The pace of work is relaxed while shooting a movie.

Once this old lady saw me in airport and just kept smiling at me, and after much hesitation, she came and asked me, 'Are you Ram? Can I touch your hair? Is it real?' and I happily obliged.

I have always been a huge fan of Shakespeare.

Direction is something that interests me. Even while shooting, I always have conversations with the director to get a better understanding of shooting technicalities.

Not just me, in fact, my entire family is a devout follower of Lord Hanuman. It's an annual affair where we all celebrate Hanuman Jayanti with a big puja at home, and all the relatives join us in the puja.

I have very few friends and don't talk much.

I am inspired by the kind of films Raj Kumar Gupta and Imtiaz Ali make.

I am from Jaipur where 'Ramlila' is a common theatre act. Though I was a thin, lanky fellow, I was always offered the role of Hanuman.

Sita and Ram were two strong individuals, and their love for each other is an example for lovers across the globe.

You can ask my wife - there has always been mutual respect between us, and I believe women should be respected for what they are; at no point should they feel the need to be like men.

Shows with good content are important, and not the genre.

I always had this dream to act: so much so, even as a child, I used to take part in Ram Leelas.

There are too many positive and goody male characters on TV, and they work, so its good for them. I feel each to their own. If it works for them, it's fine. I don't connect to such characters, so I won't do them.

I can feel this pressure of living up to the expectations of people. I hope I can fulfill it.

Men in Rajasthan pride themselves on their moustaches. It is a sign of their masculinity.

In Jaipur, I did almost everything from regional theatre to Shakespeare's plays. But when I shifted to Mumbai, I joined Anupam Kher's academy, Actor Prepares,to hone my acting skills.