In this exclusive interview, Faisal Khan talks about his new historical show Chandragupta Maurya and how he prepped up for the role…
Faisal Khan became a star at a young age with his spectacular dance moves. He has been part of various dance reality shows such as Dance India Dance and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. With historical series, Bharat ka Veer Putra- Maharana Pratap, he became a household name to reckon with and now, he is back with another mega historical show, Chandragupta Maurya. In an exclusive interview, Faisal talks about his show and more:
How does it feel after to do another historical show after a gap?
I am excited as well as nervous! Its a big responsibility as I am playing an adult version of Chandragupta, and this is a leap to the original characters in the show. So I need to change perspectives of the audiences here, to make them accept and love the new Chandragupta. There are definitely a lot of expectations, so I am just going to give it my all! My total 100% which is a bit nerve wracking but I am confident that I can do it!
You had to do some weight loss for the part. Tell us something about that. How difficult was it?
I have been working on toning my body in different ways for the show. I have lost a bit of weight, and I am also working on building up my muscles which need to be seen on screen. I am also at an age where my body catches onto fat a lot more faster than it used to, so I maintain my gym routine regularly, before as well as after my shoot.
Is it difficult to play a grown up version of a historical character?
It definitely is going to be a challenge playing an older character, but I myself have grown now both in terms of age and maturity. I mean my own mother was quite shocked to see my first look in the beard that Chandragupta has now, but she was also pleased to see me looking so different. And, I myself am more confident now. Though overall, what is important for me is maintaining the continuity and consistency of the character.
There are going to be a lot of war sequences too in the show, how have you prepared for that?
I have already got all the prep and experience for these kind of sequences since my Maharana Pratap days for which I am quite happy about! So physically, I am prepared for these sequences, though mentally I am yet preparing myself as these are elaborate scenes and need to be shot for long hours in daylight, which can be quite tiring! So I really have to ensure getting used to these requirements.
As you have done only historical shows by far, any other character that you would like to portray on screen?
If given a chance, I would love to play a character who has supernatural powers on screen. Just like the way Hrithik Roshan portrayed Krrish! Such a role will definitely interest me and I would love to pull off something like that!
Any other reality show that you have in mind right now?
As of now, I am only focusing on Chandragupta Maurya.