No wig for Gagan 'Ram' Malik

Actor Gagan Malik who is focused on getting his look right for his new role of Lord Ram in Zee TV's Ramayan has decided to grow out his wavy locks and bid his wig 'Goodbye'.

Gagan's portrayal of Ram comes with a great deal of responsibility. He must look the part, walk the talk and above all, emerge as a role model for a whole generation that will now watch him as Ram.

The Delhi-bred former Mr. India contestant is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that he gets his act right for Ramayan.

It is interesting to note that Gagan has decided to give up on non-vegetarian food and control his temper at all times as he plays Ram.

He believes imbibing Ram's virtues in his personal lifestyle will go a long way in portraying him on screen.

Gagan said he has grown up listening to his mother's countless stories from the Ramayan every single day.

Landing the role of Ram has come as a dream come true for Gagan's mother who has read the Ramayan more than 200 times.

The staunch Ram devotee that she is, Gagan's mother has written the name 'Ram' over 2 crore times in her diaries.

In terms of sheer physicality, he is already in the ideal form required to play Ram.

He is lean and athletic without looking too 'gym trained'.

Gagan said, In fact, it helps that there isn't a great gym in Baroda where we shoot. It encourages me to perform the kind of basic and ethnic forms of exercise that were prevalent centuries ago. I do the surya namaskar, dand-baithak, perform hath yoga and run extensively post pack-up.

"This doesn't create a contemporary, model-like look attained by hours spent lifting weights in the gym! It gives me the robust appearance required of the heroic prince I play.

And what is the kind of response he's getting on the show so far?

Gagan said, The show has opened up to a very positive response. I was inundated with calls on the day my first promo just revealing my silhouette as Ram went on air. People seem to have loved the way our characters were kept away from media glare for the longest time and then unveiled dramatically."

"The make-up team must also be commended for beautifully recreating the looks of all the characters.

"The authenticity of the sets, the first-rate cinematography and the catchy visual effects only add sheen to the content. We are working hard to showcase this epic in a manner that gets families to sit together on a Sunday morning and learn from it, besides being entertained...wish us luck! he said.