Zee TV’s Saru has been winning hearts with the beautifully layered love story of Saru and Ved, but behind Ved Birla’s calm strength and emotional depth lies an equally compelling story of the actor who plays him. Shagun Pandey, who has now become a household name, reveals that portraying Ved has been one of the most demanding and transformative phases of his career.
Talking about the preparation that goes into becoming Ved every single day, Shagun says, “People often think television actors simply show up and perform, but playing Ved has reshaped my entire lifestyle. On shoot days, I go straight from a 12-hour set to a 2-hour gym session, but that’s the commitment this craft demands.”
Unlike the privileged perception people often carry about actors, Shagun emphasises that his journey has been built on discipline rather than shortcuts. “I never rely on Plan B. Discipline is my alarm clock; I wake up when my body tells me it’s time to work. When people call me lucky, I smile, because they don’t see the doubts, the hours, the sacrifice. But I carry all of it proudly, because acting isn’t my profession; it’s my devotion, and Ved is not just a character for me, he’s someone who challenges me every day. His silence, his maturity, his inner battles… I had to unlearn my own habits and step into his skin. Playing him made me more grounded, more patient, and more aware of my own emotions.”
Every layer added to Ved pushes Shagun to dig deeper as an actor, making their journeys beautifully intertwined.
To witness the next chapter of Ved, watch Saru every day at 7:30 PM, only on Zee TV
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