Karan Patel and Divyanka Tripathi are not exactly two peas in a pod. But on screen as Raman and Ishta on Yeh Hai Mohabbatein, they just light up the story and fans don’t seem to get enough of them. Excerpts from an interview:
What do you feel about the name fans have given you — Divan and Ishra?
Divyanka: I just love these names. It’s made just for us, shows the love of our fans and I want to thank them all.
Karan: I feel like I have my own army (laughs). It shows that whatever work we are doing, people are liking it.
A quality about each other that you admire and something you would like to change?
Divyanka: I admire that he is a super talented actor and an amazing dancer. I’d like to change his sense of timing. He is not at all punctual. Also I would like him to make the best use of his talent.
Karan: Her dedication and patience is something I admire. And if I could change something, it’d be her sense of timing. I want her to just forget about time, she’s just too punctual
Your favourite dance sequence in the show and any memories associated with the shoot?
Divyanka: I love the Holi dance we did last year. I was wearing a white sari and I was supposed to shoot in it the next day, for continuity. But Karan didn’t know that and kept throwing colour on me.
Karan: The rain dance sequence. I was shivering in cold. Pani khatam ho gaya tha lekin woh dance nahi.
What is your idea of a perfect date?
Divyanka: I would like to go on a beach and have a nice cup of chai as we watch the sunset. Maybe also eat some food cooked by him.
Karan: When I will be with the perfect girl at the perfect place, that would be a perfect date for me.
How does it feel meeting fans on the sets? Any interesting incidents you’d like to share?
Divyanka: This happened recently. A girl, who had come all the way from Ahmedabad to meet me, went to our old set which got burnt. She was in tears and then somebody gave her the address of my current studio. So she came here and started pleading with the security. When I got to know somebody has been waiting for five hours to meet me, I went out to meet her immediately. I thought she would be happy to see me finally, but she cried more after giving me a hug. Fans really give us a lot of love.
Karan: Some fans had come to visit from Rajasthan. They were ‘Ishra’ fans. So they came and met Divyanka and left. Later I got to know they were too scared to come and talk to me.
A scene from any movie you would love to recreate on your show?
Divyanka: I am a huge fan of Madhuri Dixit. I would like to do her dance number Chane Ke Khet Mein and want Master ji (Saroj Khan) to choreograph it. That would be a dream come true.
Karan: The Kuch Kuch Hota Hai scene between SRK and Kajol, when they meet after 10 years. I love the way SRK performed it.
Do you raise concerns or give your inputs if you are unhappy with a certain track on the show?
Divyanka: No I don’t. I respect my creative team and they are very good at what they do. If there is any concern, I try to see if the scene convinces me, because only then I can convince my audience.
Karan: I think the work is divided for a reason. My job is to act, so I just focus on that.
Do romantic scenes get awkward?
Divyanka: For Divyanka they are awkward but not for Ishita. I do the scene and then forget about it.
Karan: For any actor it’s very important to make your co-star comfortable. We understand it’s our job. So I don’t think too much about it.
Something about you that fans don’t know?
Divyanka: I somehow can’t remember numbers, name and faces. I forget very easily. I have a memory problem. My family and friends call me Lady Ghajini . Very soon I will have to roam around with camera (laughs)
Karan: That I am not Ravan Kumar in real life
A fun fact about your co-star that fans don’t know?
Divyanka: Karan Patel is a big time prankster.
Karan: She speaks awesome Bhopali language.
