The struggle to succeed

telly talk

It is very rare in today’s times to be a celebrity and wear it lightly on your shoulders. But when I met Parikshith M S for this interview, he shattered this myth.

Simple and straightforward, he completely took me by surprise with his easy demeanour and humility. This 24-year-old has to his credit an iconic character like Sri Raghavendra Swamy, which he essayed with aplomb in the hit serial Guru Raghavendra Vaibhava on Suvarna TV.

“I am from Mysore. My mother works as the headmistress of a school, and my father is a traffic controller in KSRTC. My father was keen that I studied Sanskrit in a gurukul environment and when I was 10 years old, I came to Bangalore to study in Poornaprajna Vidyapeetha.

After I finished my studies, I was all set to pursue a career in Sanskrit, and was in the library, when I chanced upon an advertisement for a course in Adarsha Film and Television Institute. I discussed the options with my Guruji who gave me two years to do the course and try my luck.”

In fact, Parikshith had to sell his expensive cellphone for half the price to pay the course fee. He passed out in March, but had no work till October. “My father even asked me to come back to Mysore, but I refused, since I was hopeful that something would materialise.”

Fortunately, he had the opportunity to work as an assistant director in the Ganesh-starrer Circus, and subsequently two more movies. “I learnt a lot when working on Cheluveye Ninna Nodalu and then assisting on Sanju Weds Geetha. I, however, left the schedule half way due to difference of opinion.”

Unable to go back home, he then stayed in a PG accommodation, the period which he describes as “the hardest two months of my life.” With hardly any money left, it was the proverbial stroke of good luck that saw him audition for the serial Guru Raghavendra Vaibhava. “I was initially told that I would play the part of Timmanna Bhat, the father of Raghavendra Swamy, and later on after several look tests, I landed the lead role.

However, my part started almost after 80 episodes, so the wait was really long and many people I knew had given up hope of seeing me on screen,” he smiles.

His command over Sanskrit and the ability to recite shlokas did hold him in good stead. In fact, he says that this was a great experience and his producer Anitha Pattabhiram encouraged him greatly. After the completion of this show, Parikshith worked as a radio jockey on Big FM and then got a call from Suvarna to act in Akasha Deepa.

“In the auditions, my director commented that I seemed to have a hangover of my earlier role, and I knew it too. After about 50 episodes, I settled into the role and have to thank the channel for giving me another author-backed role.”

Naturally, having done so much work on television, the question is whether he is looking at doing films, and he is candid. “Every actor worth his or her salt aspires to be on the big screen, and if I have the right role, I will do it.”

Contrary to his current screen image, Parikshith says he is keen on doing negative roles. “Of late, I have observed that negative characters seem to have a bigger fan following and they are more challenging to essay.”

The self-confessed ‘moody’ actor adds, “I have worked very hard to date and I live my character in real life to some extent as well.”

His is certainly a story of conviction and dedication combined, and his hard work is sure to pay him rich dividends in future.