Friends first, co-stars later

Manasi Parekh Gohil and Namit Das share the same birthday, were classmates at St. Xavier’s College and both hold B.A. degrees in English Literature. They are both also originally singers, who shifted to acting at the same time, with two different shows on TV. The friends are now teaming up to play the leads in the new show Sumit Sambhal Lega (the desi adaptation of the sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond). Manasi laughs at the series of commonalities between them, and tells us, “Someone should do an astrological study on us!” Despite knowing each other for 15 years, this is the first time the actors are working together, and they were obviously delighted to have the chance. 

 

Namit tells us that his first memory of Manasi is from their college days, when she sang Lag Jaa Gale in the college canteen. “Here was this beautiful girl who sang so well, and in class, she seemed like such a sweet, friendly person. Over time we became friends,” he recounts.

 

He also admits that along with being elated, he was a little apprehensive about whether working together would affect their friendship in any way. “But all that went out the window when we started shooting,” he says. “It’s easier to act with her because we know each other so well.”

 

In a chat with us, the actors answered a few questions about their real life relationships (for Manasi with husband Parthiv Gohil and for Namit, with wife Shruti Vyas), their onscreen one in Sumit Sambhal Lega, and a whole lot more:

 

Manasi: Marriage is the ultimate laboratory for understanding human behaviour and craziness! But on a serious note, one important thing I have learnt is only if you are happy can you keep your marital home happy. So all your efforts have to be in that direction. Also, accept your spouse with all their flaws and realise that most of them will never improve. The minute that realisation hits you, you’ve nailed it!

Namit: Shruti and I have not been married that long and we are still trying to pick up on the tricks of the game. I think it’s eventually about learning to live together peacefully with each other’s faults and quirks. Also, Manasi has been married way longer than I have. I danced at her wedding nine years ago and she danced at mine six months ago! To be very honest, I have felt guilty for not giving enough time to Shruti after we got married. But Manasi calmed me down and told me to just let things happen. 

 

Manasi: Parthiv and I keep gifting each other things. Parthiv plans surprise getaways for me all the time and I love being pampered. I cook for him whenever I get the time and give him back and foot rubs!

Namit: The fact that Shruti has adjusted to me being the way I am — we haven’t even gone for our honeymoon yet (is the greatest gesture). We got married, I got four days off for that, and on the sixth day, I was back on the set to shoot. This is one of the biggest things she could ever do for me. Just that understanding, that my husband has gotten such an opportunity and my relationship is very new, but he needs to be there — that in itself is a big sacrifice. 

 

One thing we still do is go for long drives. Having dated for six years, these long drives used to be our space to talk for hours on end. And now even when we are living together and have all the privacy in the world, we still step out for these long drives to just talk, listen to music and catch up with each other.

 

Manasi: My most memorable date was when we were on the 122nd floor at the Atmosphere Restaurant at Burj Khalifa in Dubai. It was deconstructed French food, great wine and the company of my husband. Just perfect.

Namit: Recently, when I got a day off from my shoot on my birthday, Shruti and I went to Sula Vineyards, Nasik. It was so nice reconnecting with her. 

 

It was a weekend date and we had long conversations, caught up with one another and had lots of wine.

 

 

Manasi: My daily yoga practise. I need it like I need oxygen.

Namit: Love

 

Manasi: Bright colours and black… a lot of black!

Namit: Blue

 

Manasi: Baahubali

Namit: Interstellar

 

Manasi: Before Sunrise

Namit: Sleepless in Seattle

 

Manasi: Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black

Namit: We are Venus!

 

Manasi: Figure-hugging jeans with a pair of heels. Never goes wrong.

Namit: Loose pajamas and kurta

 

Manasi: I don’t like tattoos on my body

Namit: Tight jeans and tight T-shirts