“People Started Calling Me After Seeing Raj’s Dark Transformation”: Priyom Dev Gujar on Playing the Darkest Shade of His Character in Zee TV’s Lakshmi Niwas

Raj’s transformation in Zee TV’s Lakshmi Niwas has left viewers intrigued as the character’s love for Bhoomika takes an increasingly obsessive and disturbing turn. Once seen as a deeply loving and caring man, Raj is now revealing darker psychological layers, with his fear of losing Bhoomika gradually pushing him towards possessiveness and emotional control.

As Raj’s character enters one of its most intense phases, actor Priyom Dev Gujar, who essays the role, reveals that portraying these darker shades has also surprised people who know him personally. Known in real life as an animal lover who has cats of his own, Priyom shares that people close to him have found it difficult to reconcile the actor they know with the psychologically intense character they see on screen.

Speaking about the experience, Priyom Dev Gujar said, “Raj is a very intense character, and this has been one of the most challenging tracks for me as an actor. I may not agree with Raj’s decisions personally, but as an actor, my job is to understand what is happening inside his mind and portray it honestly. Raj is not someone who simply turns dark overnight. His actions come from a deep fear of losing the people he loves and being left alone. That emotional turmoil is what makes him so layered, and exploring that has been a huge learning experience for me.”

While stepping into Raj’s headspace has been challenging, Priyom reveals that he consciously makes an effort to disconnect from the character after pack-up. “Raj is a very intense character, and sometimes it can be difficult to completely leave that headspace behind after pack-up. I try to give myself time to return to my own routine and do things that help me disconnect. Sometimes I even ask my cook not to make anything and cook for myself. I find it fun, and it becomes a good distraction. It helps me come back to myself instead of carrying the character everywhere,” he added.

The actor also reveals that the audience’s response to Raj’s transformation has been a mix of strong reactions, with viewers continuing to remain invested in his relationship with Bhoomika despite his increasingly disturbing behaviour.

“The audience has given Raj a lot of love from the beginning, and now the responses to his transformation have been both positive and negative. What is interesting is that even though Raj has these dark and obsessive shades, people still want to see Raj and Bhoomika together. They understand that he is disturbed, but they also see that he loves Bhoomika deeply. That response has been very interesting for me as an actor,” he shared.

As Raj’s obsession with Bhoomika continues to spiral, viewers will witness the character reveal even more unsettling shades, testing the limits of love, possession, and emotional control.

Tune in to watch Raj’s increasingly obsessive behaviour and his unique quirks unfold in Lakshmi Niwas, every Monday to Sunday at 7:30 PM, only on Zee TV