There are just a few actors who get to play the identical function not a couple of times however 3 times of their careers. Telugu actor Rag Mayur is one among them together with his now-iconic character Maridesh Babu, who was first launched within the indie movie Cinema Bandi (2021), introduced by Raj & DK. He just lately additionally made a splash in he filmmakers’ third season of The Household Man as the one Telugu-speaking character, and Rag is on cloud 9 about it.
“The Household Man was the cherry on high for a busy 12 months after Srivarapalli, Paradha and Mithra Mandali,” Rag tells Hindustan Instances. “I simply thought enjoying Maridesh once more could be a enjoyable little throwback for many who watched Cinema Bandi and Subham. Little did I anticipate it to resonate so effectively with folks,” he provides, speaking about enjoying the quirky man, who’s a ticket collector this time round within the Prime Video internet sequence. Excepts from our chat.
Enjoying Maridesh Babu twice in a single 12 months
Any Cinema Bandi fan will keep in mind the barber, Maridayya, who selected the display screen title Maridesh Babu for his big-screen debut in a movie shot by his pal. Those that watched Subham this 12 months, produced by Raj’s now-wife, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, may even keep in mind the character making an look at an opportune time.
“I keep in mind how Samantha praised my efficiency and spoke about my character on stage throughout Subham promotions. She actually didn’t want to say me in any respect, however I felt validated,” says Rag, including, “As for taking part in Maridesh for the third time in The Household Man, I did it purely for the kick of working instantly below Raj & DK’s route. When DK approached me for the function, I used to be very happy.”
Rag reveals that he missed out on the chance to star below Raj & DK’s route earlier than in Farzi (2023), so this felt like a second likelihood. “I used to be alleged to play Bhuvan Arora’s function as Shahid Kapoor’s finest pal. Nonetheless, I couldn’t replicate the Mumbai tapori accent they wanted in time, and my Dakhni (Deccan/Hyderabadi accent) would come naturally. I misplaced out because of that,” he says.
Working together with his idol Manoj Bajpayee
And whereas Rag was already very happy to lastly work below Raj & DK’s route, he says that working together with his performing idol, Manoj Bajpayee, was additionally a draw. “You know the way Manoj’s character within the scene with me says, ‘Ajeeb intefaaq hain na? Ki aap Chittor se nikle (Is not it a coincidence that you just’re from Chittoor?)’ That’s how serendipitous it felt after I was informed I had a scene with Manoj. I used to be awe-struck and nervous,” says the actor.
As soon as Prime Video launched their scene as the primary promo, and other people had binge-watched the present, Rag says his timeline with inundated with Maridesh Babu jokes. However his first reward got here from Manoj himself. “I nonetheless don’t know what was so nice about our scene. Now there’s a Maridesh multiverse, and everybody’s coming into it (laughs). It additionally didn’t harm that Manoj praised my efficiency to DK, and all I might do was stare again in return. I used to be shocked when he humbly mentioned he hopes we work collectively once more,” he says.
Rag additionally says that Manoj is essentially the most safe actor he has labored with. “I’ve by no means as soon as seen him really feel impatient when Raj & DK requested for retakes. He additionally made me really feel so comfy and collaborative,” says the actor, including, “As for Sharib Hashmi (who performs JK), he’s the lifetime of the social gathering and has no inhibitions. It was a ball to work with them each.”
Whereas Rag won’t be able to say goodbye to Maridesh Babu simply but, he’s transferring on to larger and higher issues together with his upcoming movies Anumana Pakshi and Garividi Lakshmi. “I can’t watch for the world to see what I’ve in retailer subsequent,” he rounds off.