Replacing the popular Jodha-Akbar on Zee, all eyes were on Zain Imam and Jasmin Bhasin, who play the lead pair of Yuvraj and Twinkle, in the new show Tashan-e-Ishq. While they’ve worked hard to make their chemistry come alive on screen, Zain and Jasmin tell us that off screen too, it has been a process of getting to know each other and forming the bond of friendship. In a chat with us, they give us the lowdown on their impressions of each other, what their equation is like, and more.
Zain, Jasmin, what was your first impression of each other?
Zain: Well Jasmin has done a lot of Telugu films, so I was wondering if she could speak Punjabi at all!
Jasmin: I thought that Zain was very sweet and humble — a well-behaved boy. Cute!
Tell us a fun fact about yourselves.
Zain: I’m bad at planning “perfect” dates.
Jasmin: I eat a lot. I need food all the time!
Okay, tell us a fun fact about each other.
Zain: She’s always eating!
Jasmin: He forgets his dialogues often.
What’s been the most memorable romantic scene you’ve shot for so far?
Zain: The scene where we plan to run away and I keep waiting for her, that was my favourite.
Jasmin: The ones shot in Amritsar. They were written well and the ambience just added to it.
Tell us something you admire about your co-star, and something you’d like to change.
Zain: Jasmin is like one of my guy friends. She’s so full of energy. I think what she needs to change is learning what to say — and what not to — depending on the situation.
Jasmin: He is very down-to-earth. At times, we get scolded by our director — but he always takes it in the right spirit. I want to change the fact that he’s too coy; he needs to be a fighter and give it back to some people!
Any fond memories from your growing up years that you’d like to share with our readers?
Zain: I was a big foodie and still am, so my memories mostly revolve around food.
Jasmin: I was the naughtiest kid in my hostel! I once teased my senior so much that she ended up crying. I would rag my seniors rather than the other way round.
Tell us about your first auditions.
Zain: After I gave my first audition, the casting director said, ‘Yeh kaise karega’… so I knew he was doubting my ability and I thought to myself, ‘Karna toh hai bhai’.
Jasmin: I was in Delhi when I got a call for a Tamil film. They called me to Chennai and I was made to say a few lines. I didn’t know anything about acting but I got selected.
Who’s the most fun person to be around, on the sets?
Zain: My onscreen nanaji and mamiji.
Jasmin: I think it would be me!
Did you have a childhood crush?
Zain: Too many to name!
Jasmin: I was a tomboy, so no crush.
Has a compliment from a fan ever made you blush?
Zain: Once a fan told me, ‘Your lips are so luscious, if you kiss, they will melt’. I couldn’t stop laughing when I read that comment!
Jasmin: Every time a fan tells me I have a lovely smile, I blush.
Rapid fire
The song on your mind...
Zain: DJ Wale Babu and Selfie Lele Re
Jasmin: All of Lana Del Rey’s songs
Which was the last movie you really enjoyed?
Zain: Mission Impossible
Jasmin: Bajrangi Bhaijaan
The last time you laughed out loud was when…
Zain: When I forgot my lines in between a scene.
Jasmin: Sidhant Gupta (who plays Kunj in the show) and I were shooting a romantic scene and it was snowing. All of that snow kept going into our mouths when we were saying our dialogues! I couldn’t stop laughing.
Last time you got really emotional?
Zain: When a friend lost two close family members in a year.
Jasmin: The night before last, for personal reasons.
What’s your comfort food, and what do you dislike?
Zain: Nutella with brown bread and omelets!
Jasmin: Butter chicken is my favourite, and I dislike sushi.
What annoys you?
Zain: Being in company of hypocrites or people with (a bad) attitude.
Jasmin: Negative energy.
What’s your favourite app?
Jasmin: Google Maps, as I’m bad with directions.
Zain: Shopping, fitness and mobile banking apps.
