Edited by – Robin Bhuyan
Interviewed and written by – Reetika Choudhury
Raman Khatri is a senior actor who has appeared in numerous TV shows, such as Jai Hanuman, Sri Ganesh, Jai Ganga Maiya, and most notably Sri Krishna, where he played the role of Yudhisthir. Among youngsters, he is known for the two-faced role of Sahab aka Kumar Ranjan, one of the three main villains, alongside Kilvish and Dr Jaikal in the popular TV show Shaktimaan. In an exclusive conversation with Enigmatic Horizon, Raman Khatri discusses his experiences in Sri Krishna and Shaktimaan, talks about his thoughts regarding changes in the entertainment industry, and many more!
Tell us about how you got attracted to the world of acting?
During my college days, I participated in various one-act plays and musical shows at inter-college festivals. Not only did I enjoy participating, but I was also determined to win these activities, which deepened my interest in acting.
Is it true that you had taught dancing to popular actor Govinda? How was the experience working with him?
My experience was great because during my college break, I worked as an assistant choreographer for Sanjay Pradhan, a renowned name in the field of choreography. Starting my career as a dancer, I had the opportunity to perform with various mainstream film stars. My job involved teaching these stars for their stage performances, including notable actors like Govinda. We also worked in Johannesburg, Cape Town, South Africa, for a series of shows. I also had the privilege of working with popular actors like Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, and many others. I was fortunate to have such wonderful experiences with them.
Your role of Yudhisthir in Sri Krishna series was much appreciated. Tell us how you prepared for the role?
At that time, I was busy doing events as an Assistant Choreographer, as I already mentioned. Meanwhile, I received advice from Tabassum Ji, a renowned anchor, who suggested that I had a good personality and should try my hand at acting. That day, I decided to join acting classes. After completing them, I auditioned, and it was fortunate that I got selected for the role of Yudhishthir. The selection process for the Pandavas had involved 600 candidates, and since everyone typically dreams of playing Arjun, I initially hesitated about playing Yudhishthir. However, Ramanand Sagar Ji, whom we fondly called Papaji, explained that we were making ‘Sri Krishna’ and not just ‘Mahabharat’, with the entire serial from the perspective of Lord Krishna. They convinced me that Yudhisthir’s role was more important in this project, and I was convinced. Preparation for the role was relatively simple, as I just needed to embody honesty, a trait synonymous with Yudhishthir. With Papaji’s and everyone’s blessings, I was able to portray and justify the role convincingly.
You played Sahab aka Kumar Ranjan, one of the three main villains in Shaktimaan. Tell us how was your experience in the TV show and how did it happen?
Shaktimaan was a wonderful experience for me. When I went for the audition, Dinker Jani, the director of Shaktimaan, was conducting it. Initially, he interviewed me for about 6-7 minutes. At that time, I was already playing the character of Yudhishthir, and I was keen on exploring roles outside of the mythological genre. After the interview, he informed me that I was selected for the two-faced role of Sahab. Sahab was one of the three main villains, alongside Kilvish and Dr Jaikal. During those days, the children in my neighborhood used to dislike me because my character was a villain- such was the popularity of Shaktimaan! I believe I was able to portray the role of the antagonist convincingly, as their dislike reflected the impact of my character. Overall, it was a lovely experience being a part of Shaktimaan.
Why do you think no other superhero film or series has been able to be as successful or popular as Shaktimaan?
Shaktimaan was crafted with simplicity and sincerity, specifically for children. In its initial episodes, the character convincingly portrayed how superpowers could exist within an ordinary individual with the power of Yoga and spirituality! Each episode of Shaktimaan also imparted a social message, contributing which is one of the reasons behind its popularity! I believe anything created from the heart is loved by all. In comparison, today’s technological advancements have created a gap.
Are there any memorable behind-the-scene moments from Shaktimaan?
I remember one particular moment vividly. While portraying Sahab, there was a scene where I had transition from my role of Saheb to Kumar Ranjan, coming out from darkness to the light. My director was insistent on capturing this transition in a single shot, which presented a significant challenge as the scene was quite long. However, it was also an enjoyable experience for me!
Is there any chance that we may see you in the upcoming Shaktimaan movie?
I don’t have any idea about this but if it happens than it will be fun shooting for it.
There was a news going around that Ranveer Singh would play Shaktimaan. What is your opinion on this?
He is a star actor and an actor with versatility. I believe can definitely justify the role. He can immerses himself in the character, truly wearing its shoes while portraying it. I consider him one of the best choices for the role.
Today, the movies and serials that are coming on our ancient history are not that successful. For example, Aadipurush was a failure. What do you think is the reason behind this?
If you watch old mythological films and serials, you’ll notice that they were kept simple and faithful to the original story. There were no unnecessary modifications or additions; the focus remained on portraying the essence of the story. In our country, people are deeply familiar with these ancient mythological narratives, and they may not accept significant alterations to them. Casting also plays a crucial role in the success of such productions, and if the actors don’t convincingly portray their roles, the audience may lose interest. I believe directors should experiment with visual effects and cinematography, but refrain from altering the storyline and emotional core of these tales.
There is a lot of news about a film on Ramayana starring Ranbir Kapoor. What are your expectations from this film?
If Ranbir Kapoor were to play the role of Ram, I believe my entire family would be even happier than I am. I’m a huge fan of Ranbir Kapoor myself. I am confident that he would portray the character brilliantly. He has the look of Ram and possesses that innocence in his face. Additionally, he can effectively depict the angry side of Ram’s character. Ranbir Kapoor is a brilliant and one of the finest actors we have in our industry.
Today, there is a lot of debate going around nepotism in the past few years. What are your thoughts on it?
I believe nepotism has existed before and may offer some small advantages, but it doesn’t guarantee significant success. If you’re talented and work passionately, you can achieve success on your own merit. Nepotism may serve as a bridge, but ultimately, it’s your talent and dedication that determine your success.
There is a lot of vulgar and violent content coming out today, such as Mirzapur and the recent film Animal. Do you feel these can negatively impact society?
I believe films carry a wide range of emotions, and the negative aspects also play a significant role in storytelling. Nowadays, things can have more open due to OTT platforms since there is no censorship, but I don’t think it will have that much of a significant impact. Negative roles should be justified within the storyline. In my opinion, films should primarily focus on fun, comedy, and soothing genres, providing an opportunity for viewers to relax and enjoy themselves.
Other than Sri Krishna and Shaktimaan, which are the most memorable projects in your career?
I’ve had the privilege of playing various mythological roles throughout my career. One significant role was portraying Lord Shiva in ‘Jai Ganga Maya’ and Mahesh in ‘Brahma Vishnu Mahesh’. These roles were truly blessings for me. Among them, one of the most memorable characters I portrayed was Bhayasura in ‘Sri Ganesh’, produced and directed by Dhiraj Kumar. Bhayasura, the king of asuras, was an amusing character who was surprisingly fearful and scared. One day, while feeling frightened, he mistakenly chanted the name of Sri Ganesh and realized that his fear diminished. From that day on, he began chanting Sri Ganesh Ji’s name whenever he felt scared. Eventually, Sri Ganesh appeared and granted his wish to reduce his fear, renaming him Dayasura. Though I was nominated for an award for this role, I didn’t win, but I thoroughly enjoyed portraying the character throughout the serial.
Tell us about your upcoming projects.
I have two projects upcoming, but it will not be possible to disclose anything at the moment!
Thank for your time!
Thank you! It was a huge pleasure!
