Small screen’s sweethearts

They’re back by popular demand: Dear readers, you asked us to feature Radhika Madan and Shakti Arora — aka Ishani and Ranveer from Meri Aashiqui Tumse Hi — on this page once again, and how could we refuse! Radhika and Shakti took some time out of their shoot to speak with us and address their fans’ commonest questions.

What has contributed to Ranveer-Ishani’s enduring popularity with fans?
Radhika: Our off-screen chemistry, I think. It’s so genuine that it can be clearly seen on screen as well.
Shakti: It’s all the love from our viewers. Apart from that, we’ve worked hard to build our chemistry and bond. We rehearse each and every scene and add nuances that will improve.

What’s been your favourite romantic scene to shoot for the show?
Radhika: Definitely the moment when Ranveer drapes a sari for Ishani.
Shakti: Mine was when I first confess to Ishani that I’m in love with her. It was a long and emotional scene where Ranveer doesn’t want Ishani to know that he loves her and tries to hide his feelings by covering up with anger. But eventually, I do end up confessing.

What’s been the best compliment you’ve received so far for your performance on MATH?
Radhika: I have found the fans to be very in touch with Ishani and someone recently shared how they connect with Ishani so much that when I cry, they cry.
Shakti: That I’m the ‘Aamir Khan of television’!

Tell us something you admire in your co-star and something that annoys you?
Radhika: I admire the fact that Shakti is very professional. What annoys me a little is his tendency to kid around.
Shakti: Radhika is a confident girl and works very hard. This is what has made her a very good actress over the years. One thing about her that annoys me is sometimes, she throws starry tantrums! (winks and laughs)

Who is the prankster among the two of you?
Radhika: I think we both are, to a certain degree.
Shakti: I’m the prankster! Recently, we played a prank on Radhika. A TV channel approached her, saying they want her help in playing a prank on me. What Radhika didn’t know was that the prank was truly meant to be on her! According to the prank, Radhika upbraided me for spreading rumours about her dating Arjun. Later on, she had to admit that they were kidding and playing a prank on me. But I acted as though I was very upset and stormed off the sets. She was very scared and apologised to me and tried to calm me down. That’s when I revealed that the joke was on her!

Have you ever laughed out loud in the midst of filming a serious scene?
Radhika: Usually, while filming romantic scenes, we tend to laugh out loud and actually mess with each other! The two of us are so comfortable and easy-going in each other’s presence that we keep saying funny things. Like sometimes during an emotional scene, Shakti will tease me by saying my pimple can be seen and make me laugh!
Shakti: There are lots of instances when either Radhika or I forget our lines and fumble, turning an intense scene into a funny moment.

What’s your favourite look on the show? And what’s your off-screen style statement all about?
Radhika: On the show, saris with backless blouses are my favourites. Off-screen, I usually prefer a comfortable look like shorts and a T-shirt coupled with some accessories.
Shakti: When my character transformed from Ranveer to RV, my look was changed from checkered shirts to suits and it looked very classy. In real life, I prefer jeans and basic T-shirts, along with accessories like sun glasses, a nice watch, etc.

Do you have a favourite corner on the set?
Radhika: The main hall is my favourite space — we usually sit there to have chai and chat.
Shakti: I chill in my vanity van when I have some free time.

What’s the first thing you do when you have some free time on the set?
Radhika: I check my phone.
Shakti: I try to catch up on sleep.

Rapid fire:
My nicknames:
Radhika: Radhu and Totta.
Shakti: I don’t have any nicknames as such but my mom calls me Raja Beta!

I call my co-star:
Radhika: Hero.
Shakti: I call Radhika ‘Radhe Maa’!

I cannot do without:
Radhika: Gol gappe.
Shakti: Food.

Last movie I enjoyed:
Radhika: Talvar.
Shakti: Bajrangi Bhaijaan.

The song I’m humming these days:
Radhika: Old songs… Yeh Nayan Dare Dare.
Shakti: Gulabo from Shaandaar.

Last thing I shopped for:
Radhika: A bag.
Shakti: Clothes.

If I could live the life of another celebrity for a day, it would have to be:
Radhika: Kareena Kapoor’s! Who wouldn’t want to be with someone hot like Saif Ali Khan?
Shakti: Salman Khan because he lives like a king and I like his daredevil attitude!

Love is:
Radhika: Crazy… You can’t be practical.
Shakti: Life!

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