Exclusive: ‘Taj’ actors Aashim Gulati and Sauraseni Maitra on playing historical characters, the challenges of working in the magnum-opus

New Delhi: Akbar, Salim, Anarkali, the story of unrequited love, the fight between father and son is something that has been adapted many times in cinema and television. So, what’s unique about ‘Taj’? As the lead actor, Aashim Gulati (Salim) says, “Taj is much more than a love story. It is the story of Akbar’s search for the rightful heir to the throne among his three sons, Salim, Murad and Daniyal. After a successful Season 1 ‘Taj: Divided By Blood’, the popular web series is back for a second season which explores how Prince Salim, an ‘exiled rebel’ gained the throne and Noor Jahan How did driving work? Force in search of him.

In an exclusive conversation with Zee English Digital, Taj: Reign Of Revenge actors Aashim Gulati and Sauraseni Maitra talk about what goes into the making of this masterpiece, how they got into the skin of the characters and what it was like. Did. What challenges did he face while working on the show?

Q- The story of the Mughals is something that has been adapted many times in different mediums, be it Mughal-e-Azam or other productions. So, what were your initial thoughts when the script first came to you and what kind of pressures did you face playing such larger-than-life characters?

Aashim Gulati- I think our producers did a fantastic job researching this and I hear it’s been going on for five years. The screenplay is so well written that half the battle is already done. My only aim was to make it a lovable and genuine character that people look up to. So the journey of making Salim like this has been very beautiful. I made Salim the way I thought. I think it has been loved by many and I have received compliments like, “We don’t think anyone can play Salim quite like you.” So this has been a huge compliment to me.

Sauraseni Maitra- When you are making a show like this in today’s time, it is definitely a challenge. When you get to play someone like Noor Jehan, who history remembers as one of the most powerful women, it is a huge responsibility. So I totally depended on my producers to get into the character perfectly. You have to make it your own. So, when I got my make-up and hair done and put on my dress, I was Mehrunnisa.

Q- What kind of preparations have you guys done for the characters in terms of language or getting into the skin of the character since this is not a contemporary show?

Sauraseni Maitra- To be honest, I did not get much time for preparation. I come from Bengal, so I don’t even think in Hindi and Urdu. So, it was kind of foreign to me, so yes, Urdu is very difficult but very beautiful so again I would like to thank my producers and co-actors for that.

Aashim Gulati- I didn’t know how to ride a horse and it was tough, but I enjoyed it. There was also a fair amount of sword fighting and action scenes. Also, I love Shayari and Shayari when it comes to speaking in Urdu, which has helped me a lot to understand the text better.

Q- Did you get hurt during the shoot?

Aashim Gulati- Once I was doing a fight sequence with Murad and he almost punched me on the nose because he is an action guy. There was another time when I was getting off the horse and I got hit in the groin which was very painful. I hope no one is found. But this is our sign up and we do our job well.

Sauraseni Maitra- I remember, my character was getting beaten up and I had to fall on the ground. So even though I had pads on my knee, we shot about 35 times for that scene and the next morning I couldn’t walk. But when you finally see it all come to life, it’s worth it.

Q- How did you transition from Season 1 to Season 2? How was the journey?

Aashim Gulati- When it comes to transitioning, you have to step into the shoes. As far as physicality was concerned, there was a huge jump of 15 years, my hair grew long because I am an ‘exiled rebel’ who lives in the jungles, has scars on his face etc. Character and its a process. Put yourself in his place and understand Salim’s world.

Q- Souraseni you have stepped into Season 2, so are you looking to replace Anarkali as the leading lady?

Sauraseni Maitra- I don’t think Mehrunnisa ever wanted to replace Anarkali. My character was introduced in Season 1 when Shah Salim saved Mehrunnisa and her family. Therefore, he has always looked up to Salim. You see, Salim had no greed for the throne, but Mehrunnisa knew that he was the rightful heir. It takes a lot of courage for one person to be a pillar of strength for another, especially if he has been an ‘outcast rebel’. Besides, Jahangir had some 24-25 wives, so she could have changed them all if she wanted to.

Q- So Aashim, you are one of those who have explored all mediums in the right way. You have done films, TV and now web shows! So which medium do you enjoy the most and feel brings out your best as an actor?

Ashim – I have to say that OTT has given massive opportunities to someone like me who has come from zero and is ambitious. But a different side of me will appreciate any platform and put my best foot forward and appreciate art at its purest and do it with all sincerity.

Q- Sauraseni, you have worked a lot in regional Bengali films, and now you are working in mainstream Hindi shows, so how was your experience of coming to mainstream shows and what difference did you feel?

Sauraseni Maitra- When you cater to a wide mass, it certainly looks lovely. But when you take up a project as an actor, my job is to prepare for that character and give my best and honest effort.

Q- Which is your favorite dialogue from the show?

Sauraseni – ‘Remember what you are talking about, we are Mallika-e-Hindustan.’

Ashim – “If there is a paradise on earth, it is here.”

‘Taj: Reign Of Revenge’ is streaming on Zee5.