Sister act: TV show Tere Sheher Mein

‘Sometimes I feel like taking the clothes home’

Anjum’s mother is from Chiplun, Maharashtra while her father is from the Gulf and she has grown up in both countries. “I have lived in a conservative family where women have to wear burkhas,” she says, adding, “After finishing Class X, I decided to get into modelling and though my parents did not agree, I shifted to Mumbai against their wish. “It was really tough. I was renting a place with five other girls and survived on just Maggie noodles as I couldn’t afford anything else. I would sometimes feel that my decision to come to Mumbai to become a model was wrong.  But slowly I started getting modelling offers.  And my mother slowly started reconnecting with me and now both my parents come often to see me.”

Talking about Tere Sheher Mein, she says, “My casting agency got me to audition for Tere Sheher Mein. And though I wanted to play Amaya, the director wanted me to do Rachita’s role due to my height. We had a rigorous three-month workshop after that.” Talking about her “sisters” on the show, she adds, “We are like actual sisters. We live in the same society and travel to the sets together. Gautami Kapoor is like my real mom and at times she says, ‘mere teen bachche ho gaye hai ab!’”

Talking about her stylish reel life persona, Anjum says, “I am floored by the style of my character and at times I really want to take the clothes home. I am so happy with my wardrobe on the sets that my own wardrobe has changed to the same.”

Hiba believes in enjoying the present

Eighteen-year-old Hiba Nawab, who plays Aamya, the lead in Tere Sheher Mein, says that this is not her debut show as she had done a few shows as a child artiste. But this is the most stylish show she has done, as the girl from Bareilly adds, “I was not very stylish earlier, but for Aamya’s character I have become a fashionista…” Now known as the Alia Bhatt of the small screen, Hiba says in real life too she is becoming more like her reel persona.

About her co-stars Anjum and Isha, she says that they are like siblings in real life too, including the love and fights that go along with it. “On the sets we are very friendly. Everyone is keen on giving their best.” While she is happy to talk about her bond with her colleagues, when it comes to future tracks on the show, she doesn’t elaborate. “We have no clue what the show will shape up like. Many a times the script that comes on the sets is different and by the time we are ready for the take, it changes drastically. So the story cannot be predicted as such.”

Life currently revolves around the show because the  crazy schedules don’t give her much time for anything else. She adds, “Whatever time I get, I love to shop. I am crazy about shoes and bags. “I have a few close friends. I do not make friends easily unless they are of my kind. I am also an outspoken girl. I never worry about the future. I enjoy the present, like now I am engrossed in my shoot and my show.”

The kid on the sets

Unlike Anjum, Isha, who made her debut as Jasmine (Jass) on the show, was initially not very happy with her look and style. “I’m just 17 and still in college. But acting comes naturally to me as I belong to a family of actors. My sister Krusha Kapoor is an actor,” says Isha. “I did not like the role initially as I had to wear loose clothes while I love stylish girly dresses. Whenever I would be handed over the loose clothes, I would ask the ADs how long the scene would continue and they would sometime lie… I also disliked my hairstyle initially.”

“But now I am being given some lovely designer clothes that I love,” she adds happily. “Everybody on the sets look after me… They always tell me to eat on time etc.,” she adds. “I make friends with people whom I really trust and who are loyal to me. I am also very reserved and if I do not like anyone, I just stop talking to them,” she says. On the subject of boyfriends, she says, “I only have a few trusted friends whom I really like, but I do not have any romantic inclinations with any boy. I am concentrating on my work.”

“I am happy to be earning. At times I go shopping with whatever money I earn. My mom and other family members advice me not to spend much. I spend a lot on my wardrobe, but I also save. However, I am of the opinion if I spend money only then will I get more money.” “The best compliment I received was when we were flying to Benares, the director came over and congratulated me for my performance. I love such compliments.”