Television actor Jatin Suri, who is currently seen as Diamond Singh in the Star Bharat show, Nimki Mukhiya, had never planned a career in acting. It just happened by chance for him. Born and brought up in the city of Bareilly, Suri was always inclined towards running his family business and live a peaceful life. He had even started his father in the business. But his destiny had something else in store for him. Fate took him to Delhi and there began a journey which brought him to the land of immense opportunities, Mumbai, to become an actor. Now, Jatin and his family are happy with how things unfolded for the Bareilly lad. In an exclusive interaction with BollywoodMDB correspondent, Mohnish Singh, the actor talks enthusiastically about his journey, show Nimki Mukhiya and a host of issues he faced while shifting base to Mumbai. Excerpts…

Q. Tell us something about your character in Nimki Mukhiya?

A. I am playing Diamond Singh in the show. He is the younger brother of Babbu Singh who is the lead of the show. It’s a very different and, at the same time, very challenging character because I do not identify with my onscreen character at all.

Q. How did you come onboard?

A. I feel quite lucky that I got this role. Actually, I keep appearing for a lot of auditions. I was called for an audition for Nimki Mukhiya also. But when I reached the venue, the casting team told me that they were looking for a guy with some Bihari touch in his accent. I suddenly decided to not appear for the audition as I knew I wouldn’t be able to pull it off. I even mugged up the whole script before entering the audition room, but it was not just happening.

After a month or so, I again received a call from the casting team saying that only my look was going well with the character and they wanted me to appear for another round of auditions. I went there unprepared because I knew it wouldn’t happen. This time around, I took one of my close friends along. He also appeared for the audition but could not crack it only because of the Bihari accent. I reappeared in the last. They showed my audition video to their casting head and found me suitable for the role. The only thing which they asked me to improve was my language skills as my character speaks chaste Bihari in the show.

Q. Do you really find your character very difficult to portray?

A. I wouldn’t say that it is a difficult character; it is a different character. My whole family in the show has been shown as very aggressive, always ready to fight. I am not like that in real life. I don’t get angry so easily. Initially, it was a bit difficult to catch the attitude of Diamond Singh. But now I have learned how to get into the skin of my character.

Q. What was your previous show?

A. Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani. It aired on ZEE TV.

Q. Where do you hail from?

A. I am from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh.

Q. Has your family relocated to Mumbai with you or you live all alone?

A. No, my whole family lives in Bareilly only. Here I live with my friends.

Q. So, how has been your journey from Bareilly to the dream city of Mumbai?

A. It has been a challenging one. Actually, I belong to a family of businessmen. My father runs his business in Bareilly. I had just started helping him in everything when, one day, I went to Delhi with my brother for some work. In the South Extension area of Delhi, Balaji Telefilms runs an acting and media institute called ICE. Open auditions were going on there. So, I just went there and gave an audition. After some time, they called me up and asked me to get enrolled into their 3-months acting course. Neither I was interested, nor was my father in favor of me joining the course. But my Mom and Uncle encouraged me. So, I went to Delhi, completed my course and did a show with Balaji Telefilms called Gumrah Season 4.

Q. So, acting happened by chance for you?

A. Hmm… you can think so. Initially, I was not inclined towards acting, but now I am very passionate about it.

Q. What kind of hardships you went through after shifting your base to Mumbai?

A. There were a lot of problems which I had to face after coming to Mumbai. It was a new city for me. I knew no one. After leaving Balaji Institute of Creative Excellence, there was no one to guide me in Mumbai. I took an apartment in Andheri East and then made a few friends who would inform me about on-going auditions. At times, I used to travel to Andheri West from Andheri East on foot to appear for auditions. After auditioning for numerous shows and roles, finally, I am here today.