First things first, how did you two meet?
Varun: We actually met on the sets of Shefali’s first show Baani.. Ishq Da Kalma. I was the creative head on the show. I saw her for the first time when her audition came to me. I somehow didn’t see her as Bani; but the makers were convinced and that’s how she got finalised and we met.
Shefali: He used to brief me before every scene and that’s when we developed a rapport. It’s funny because I actually used to call him bhaiya on the sets. Little did I know back then that he would be the one I’d eventually end up marrying.
What were your first impressions of each other?
Varun: Her innocence was something that really stayed back with me. Even though we didn’t really interact then, she seemed like an extremely calm and sweet person.
Shefali: I knew he is on a senior level on the show, so I thought he would be a little authoritative. But after I got on board, we interacted and I got to know him better since he was always around.
How did the cupid strike?
Varun: It was very random, to be honest. I was bedridden and wasn’t going on the sets for quite a few days. Shefali noticed my absence and messaged me to find out why I wasn’t coming to the sets. Her
concern left me floored and I knew she was the one for me.
Shefali: I was concerned because he had been missing and I wasn’t aware about his injury. It was when he told me that I got to know about it. I was worried and told him to get well and come back to the sets.
How has life changed post-marriage?
Varun: I don’t see any change to be honest. She is my best friend. There are times when we just look at each other, smile and we know what the other is trying to convey. She gets me like nobody else ever has.
Shefali: He has been a mentor, a friend and my strength. I’d like to say that somewhere down the line we’re both extremely crazy people, which hasn’t changed post-marriage. We have a lot of fun when we’re together. We’re friends first and then a married couple.
You guys celebrated your first anniversary recently. How has the journey been?
Varun: Full of love and friendship. We’ve had an amazing time, though we’re still in the phase of getting to know each other.
Shefali: The journey has been very nice so far. Varun is the perfect partner. I couldn’t have asked for more.
Thankfully, I have some really nice people around me, both our families and friends are extremely kind and supportive. With such lovely people around, the journey together is full of warmth.
Any special memory from last one year that you would like to share?
Varun: Every moment spent together has been memorable in some way or the other. Right from our marriage to every conversation that we have is funny or special in its own way.
Shefali: Our love story is my favourite.
Being from the same industry, how do you guys manage to spend time with each other?
Shefali: I have been working ever since I got married. Tum Aise Hi Rehna started right after I came back from my honeymoon.
And then after a month or two’s break, I was offered Diya Aur Baati Hum. I’ve been shooting round the clock. It gets tough but we make sure to spend all our free time together and with family.
What does the future hold for the two of you?
Varun: A lot of love and warmth. I really enjoy travelling so hopefully once both of us get some time off our respective work schedules, I’d love to take a holiday. We’d also love to spend a lot of time with our families.
Would you two want to work on the same show once again?
Varun: This reminds me of an incident actually. Shefali was shooting for a romantic scene on Baani… and she wasn’t getting it right after several takes.
I was wondering what was wrong when I suddenly received a message from her in which she told me to go out since she was feeling uncomfortable performing the scene in my presence. I found it really cute. So to answer your question I would love to work with her on the same show but I don’t quite know about her.
Rapid fire:
What is the one thing you like about each other?
Varun: Her smile and her eyes.
Shefali: His commitment to anything he takes up.
An annoying habit of Shefali/Varun?
Varun: If given the chance, she can sleep 24x7, 365 days a year.
Shefali: Nothing at all.
Any particular song that reminds you two of each other?
Varun: Ishq Wala Love from Student Of The Year.
Shefali: The title track of Baani… since that’s where it all began.
Who is the first one to break after a fight/argument?
Shefali: We both tend to forgive and forget soon enough. But I start laughing and can’t be serious for really long.
Varun: Seeing her laugh, makes me forget that I actually had to stay serious.
One thing you can’t do without?
Both: Each other
