Actor Saurabh Shrikant, who is currently playing the role of Tatya Kote Patil in Sony TV's Mere Sai - Shraddha Aur Saburi, wanted to become a singer but ended up becoming an actor.
Saurabh hails from a musical background and started learning to sing from his father at a tender age. He says, "My entire family is inclined towards music. My father has an amazing voice, when I was a kid he used to take my singing lessons. From sur, taal, alankars, he taught me everything. We had lots of musical instruments at home. To get the right position of notes, I started using harmonium while doing my riyaaz. Later, I learned keyboard and guitar as well." Also read: Shaheer Sheikh On His Love For Music, 'I Have Tried Learning Singing But Eventually Realised I Am Not That Good At It'- EXCLUSIVE
His dad used to do stage shows in Jabalpur and Bhopal and Saurabh used to join him. "I gave my first stage performance when I was 7. At that time my dad used to do live shows and till I was in school I used to perform with him," Saurabh says. Also read: TV Gets A New Sai Baba: Tushar Dalvi To Slip Into Abeer Soofi's Shoes In Mere Sai - Shraddha Aur Saburi
Later, he came to Amravati to pursue his graduation. While he was in college, he started doing theater, that's how he got bit by the acting bug. Talking about his family's reaction, when they came to know about this, Saurabh says, "I used to actively participate in all extra-curricular activities. We also had our own band. Gradually, I started doing theater and got inclined towards acting. My parents were quite surprised when I told them that I want to pursue acting as my career. They thought I would become a singer, that's why they were puzzled."
He added that it was his father who motivated and pushed him to pursue his dream of becoming an actor. "My dad is quite understanding. When he realized how serious I am about acting, he gave me confidence to follow my dream. I came to Mumbai and fortunately I got my break. I did a small cameo in Hitler Didi, later I did Chhanchhan, Badii Devrani and Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah."
"Singing is in my blood. If given an opportunity I would definitely like to try my luck in singing too," Saurabh concludes.
Image source: Himanshu Shukla