Match point

Vishal Aditya Singh and Shivangi Joshi play Lakhan and Poonam in Begusarai. When they’re not in character, the two actors share a quirky chemistry that is reflected in their friendly banter. That they think highly of each other is fairly evident — what’s also evident is that they enjoy the other’s company as co-stars. They recently sat down for a chat with us about their show, the roles they essay and how they’ve bonded.

Vishal: My first impression of Shivangi was that she is very innocent. She was like a little girl and I wondered — how am I going to work with her! But then I saw her mature and evolve as an individual as we worked together.

Shivangi: When I was introduced to Vishal as the hero of the show, my first thought was — ‘He’s so tall!’ Then I realised he’s also loud and quite rowdy! And then I began to think about how I would have to wear heels to match his height on screen — and I hate wearing heels! And later, I realised that Vishal is actually a sweetheart.

Vishal: We were introduced by our director when we met for the script narration.

Shivangi: Yes, this was for a workshop. I had worn an orange salwar-kameez that day and at our very first meeting, Vishal began teasing me by calling me ‘tiranga’! I hadn’t even started speaking with him because it takes me a little time to open up to people. The more I tried to run away, the more he would tease me! Pareshaan kar diya mujhe!

Vishal: Shivangi is a complete nautanki on the set! If people don’t listen to her, she’ll make these faces. She’s very childish but cute.

Shivangi: One thing that Vishal really loves is to make people happy by doing all kinds of funny things. He behaves like a ninja at times, and loves messing up my hair!

Vishal: Our onscreen characters are complete opposites and the love story unfolding is the interesting part, which I feel fans love.

Shivangi: Lakhan and Poonam’s chemistry is different from what people have seen on TV. Usually both the hero and heroine are shown as sweet but here the hero is rowdy and heroine is sweet.

Vishal: Shivangi is very different from Poonam. She is a Mumbai girl and lives alone, manages all her responsibilities single handedly; she is the complete opposite of Poonam.

Shivangi: He may be loud and rowdy (like Lakhan) but Vishal is also incredibly sweet.

Vishal: The recent one, where I’m draping a sari for Poonam. She looked amazing in that scene.

Shivangi: I end up getting hurt in some of my scenes with Vishal! Once Lakhan is angry and is shown throwing a glass at me. I actually cut my finger during the scene. I was very excited about enacting that scene but when I saw blood oozing out, I wondered if it was the best or worst scene we’d done! The rain-dream sequence is also my favourite because of the dance, masti, love and romance it had.

Vishal: I’m not active on social media, but a fan once told me not to trouble Poonam.

Shivangi: Some fans call him Amitabh and me, Jaya Bachchan!