Their onscreen avatars are polar opposites of each other. He’s the naive Ranvi from Veera, while she’s the ambitious Gunjan, but fans love seeing them together on screen. In an exclusive chat, Shivin Narang and Farnaz Shetty tell us more about themselves and in the process we get to know why they get along so well with each other.
Some qualities you admire in each other and something you would like to change in each other?
Farnaz: He is chilled out and easy going in any situation. I should learn that trait from him. But there are times he can take a joke too far, to that point it can get too personal and it’s not funny anymore.
Shivin: She is sweet, honest and a good actress. The best part is that we look like a couple on screen, we share that comfort level. Off screen too I call her biwi. Our chemistry is very natural. I don’t think I would want to change anything about her.
Could you tell us your most memorable romantic scenes from the show?
Farnaz: The jungle sequence where I fall on Ranvi and this is the first time there is any physical contact between us. The scene was memorable as it was just the two of us in the jungle and the focus was only on us. This was the first time Gunjan feels something for Ranvi.
Shivin: Several romantic moments in Veera have been memorable. I’d like to mention the one where Ranvi kidnaps Gunjan when she is angry with him. He kidnaps her as a last resort and takes her to a field. Once there, she discovers that he has laid a table for a candle-light dinner. This was one scene which was loved by the audiences.
What do you first notice in a member of the opposite sex?
Farnaz: The guy shouldn’t be fake.
Shivin: I usually notice a woman’s eyes and her voice. But I also notice the honesty of the person and how warm natured she is.
Your idea of a perfect date?
Farnaz: A cruise with beautiful lights and just me and my partner. I am wearing a gown and he is in a tuxedo. There are ushers who welcome us, soothing music plays in the background and we have a nice candle-light dinner.
Shivin: I think it is the company that matters. If you love somebody, I guess the place is not important. It could be simply sharing panipuri with that person.
A compliment from a fan that made you blush?
Farnaz: A fan came to see me on the sets, all the way from Kolhapur. He had ridden a bike for over 6-7 hours to get here. He had come to meet me. When he saw me, he actually touched my hand to believe that I was actually there, standing in front of him. That had made me blush.
Shivin: There is one incident that happened recently, something that I don’t think I can forget. A fan just pulled my cheeks and said they are “malaiwale gaal” (laughs). I don’t think I have ever been more embarrassed.
Some thing fans don’t know about you?
Farnaz: There was a rumour that I have been charged '1 lakh as penalty for delaying a shoot, which is not true. Fans don’t know the truth yet.
Shivin: I was the closest to my dadi but she is not with us anymore. My parents run their own business and used to be busy, so it was my dadi who raised me.
Things that you can do without and why?
Farnaz: Social networking.
Shivin: Little things like eating chicken on Tuesdays and Thursdays. And I can definitely do without make up. It depends on the situation; I can adapt to situations.
Some guilty indulgences?
Farnaz: Aerated drinks and Red Bull. They affect my health. But unfortunately, I can’t control my urge to have them.
Shivin: Chocolates and ice cream during your diet. Not going to the gym and watching a film instead.
