Small beginnings sometimes turn into huge opportunities in new terrains.
For Jayaram Karthik aka JK, the lead actor of the TV serial Ashwini Nakshatra, his popularity in the Kannada small screen has taken him to a wider audience, both on the small as well as big screen.
While the popular serial will be coming to an end soon towards the end of October as the makers prepare for the climax shoot, the actor has got enough offers to keep himself busy. JK will be seen as Ravan in the upcoming mega serial, Siya Ke Ram, a new version of Ramayana to be aired on Star Plus. He is probably one of the few actors to have got a big break in television itself and the actor says that it is indeed a great move for him.
“I heard from the makers that they auditioned around 9000 actors for Ravan’s role. I think, the reason they picked me was because of the effort I put into the audition. They had sent the screen test script to me through a friend. Instead of taking it casually, I shot the screen test with the help of a cameraman, edited it and made sure to send a professional copy. They were impressed,” says the actor who had an advantage of a perfect Hindi accent that fit the character.
The shoot for the TV serial has already started and JK’s shift will start in November, around which time, the serial will also be aired. “I will have to dedicate a year’s time and since I know the subject, I feel comfortable,” he says.
The TV show will be shot extensively at Ramoji film studio and the actor will have to allot 10 to 12 days a month.
Back in Kannada, JK wants to take a break from small screen, but promises to be back after a gap. “I will take up serials only if I get something bigger than Ashwini Nakshatra. The serial gave me a good platform and I have put in equal effort as well. So I can’t bid it goodbye so easily. Also, I have films in Kannada, Telugu and Tamil to concentrate on,” he says.