Rajat Verma, who plays Jay in Ravindra Gautam and Raghuvir Shekhawat’s Dahej Daasi, which is produced under their banner, Do Dooni 4 Films, says doing a TV soap can keep an actor occupied for a long time. However, he stressed that, though it can be hectic, one needs to look after their health first.
He said, “Daily soaps can be very hectic, and we often don’t get much time for our personal things. But we must prioritize our health above everything else. We need to manage our time effectively to take care of our health. I recently started working out, so I have to make time for that as well. Whenever there is a show or any commitment, we need to be mentally prepared for it.”
“This means accepting that we will be very occupied. Everything starts with the mind. If I mentally prepare myself that I am going to be busy for a certain period, my body automatically supports this mindset. When I came to Mumbai, it was to work, and that’s what I’m doing. I didn’t come here to sleep; I came to work. This mindset gives me the push, zeal, and energy I need to tackle my day,” he added.
Rajat is not someone who is fond of doing night shifts, as he said that it disturbs his sleep cycle. “I am not very fond of night shoots because they disrupt your sleep cycle. Night shoots typically last for one or two days, sometimes three or four, but they often come unexpectedly after a series of day shifts. This completely messes up your sleep routine and takes a toll on your health,” he said.
“Mentally, it’s not so much about specific issues, but I do get sleep-deprived and start acting differently. I become more playful, and I tend to mess around a lot. During those times, I speak my mind freely and do whatever comes to me. I don’t know why, but when I’m sleep-deprived, my mind works in such a way that I say and do anything without much filter,” he added.
Rajat accepted that doing outdoor shoots, especially in the summer heat, can be troubling, but he is happy that they are working in a closed, air-conditioned environment.
“We are very lucky to be shooting in a closed, air-conditioned environment. Our set is air-conditioned, and we are really grateful for that. However, when we have day shifts that require outdoor shoots, it becomes a bit of a problem because of the heat and other factors. Staying hydrated is our top priority since we need to sustain our energy throughout the day,” he said.
“I personally struggle a lot with outdoor shoots in the summer because I have very sensitive skin that tans quickly. These outdoor shifts can be very challenging for me. But I feel fortunate that our show is doing well, and most of the shooting is happening indoors on the sets given the current track,” he ended.
