When opposites attract

Kaala Teeka co-stars Daljeet Kaur and Bhupinder Singh may portray a flawless chemistry on screen, but the two are, admittedly, poles apart off it. That doesn’t stop them from enjoying their differences, though. Here are a few excerpts from an interview:

How did you guys break the ice when you first met?
 Daljeet: We’re both very talkative Punjabis, so there was no need for an ice-breaking session. I don’t even remember who started the conversation between the two of us.

Was it ever awkward to film the romantic scenes?
Daljeet: Yes, it was awkward in the start, but now that we have shot so many episodes, it isn’t at all. Now, it’s more about the right angle, right light, where one’s hands should be, etc.
Bhupinder: It was not at all awkward. We both are professionals and we trust each other.

What do you think makes your onscreen chemistry work?
Daljeet: It’s our sincerity towards work. We always keep trying to give the best shot. That’s the main reason the audience relate to us.
Bhupinder : On screen, she is ice and I’m fire, so it’s a very interesting combination — where the man is like Shiva and the woman is like Parvati, very cool and calm. Basically, it’s like two opposite worlds attracting.

Who is the better co-star among you two?
Daljeet: It’s both of us, because whenever I forget my lines, he co-operates with me and vice versa.
Bhupinder: Definitely Daljeet. She is an amazing co-star who brings the best in me.

How many times have you burst out laughing while filming a scene?
Daljeet: I laugh a lot during shoots. There have been times when I was laughing constantly because of which the shoot had to be stopped and lights had to be turned off.
Bhupinder: I don’t like laughing during a scene. In fact, I don’t even like it when my co-stars laugh while filming a scene.

Who among you takes more re-takes?
Daljeet: I can’t comment on this because re-takes happen in every show. Besides, we have to learn a lot of lines in a very short span of time.
Bhupinder: We both don’t take many re-takes because we both are good at our work.

Any scene that’s made you go ‘oh wish I had done it better’?
Daljeet: Honestly, I feel like this for every scene because I’m growing as an actor and I am very young in the fraternity. So I need to learn and explore more. After every scene or episode I try to do it better.
Bhupinder: I really don’t think on those lines when I’m shooting. I give it my best. Once I’m done with it, I don’t think that I could have done better, because at that time that's the best I could do — nothing more.

What’s the one thing that you like and dislike about each other?
Daljeet: I like the fact that he is very honest. ‘Dislike’ is a very strong word, but I’d say that one thing that could  backfire on him is his honesty, again.
Bhupinder: The thing that I like about her is also the thing that I dislike about her — I like her sincerity and the fact that she is dedicated to her work. But sometimes, I don’t like this because she does it at cost of her health and personal well-being, which I think is not good for her.

What’s your off screen equation like?
Daljeet: We have lot of fun off-screen. He is quite elder to me so I get to learn a lot of things from him. Bhupinder is also a complete family guy and I really like that about him — especially when he talks about his kids.
Bhupinder: We are wonderful friends.

Who is the crazier among the two of you?
Daljeet : I think it’s definitely me because he and everyone else on sets keep thinking ‘What is she doing and why is she doing this?’
Bhupinder: I think it’s definitely me, I’m really crazy!

Where are you most likely to be found during breaks on the set?
Daljeet: My room, because that’s the most comfortable place of all.
Bhupinder: My make-up room and talking to Purohitji, he is my best friend on set.

So, who is the jagga jasoos of the sets with all the gossip?
Daljeet: Gauri was our 6-year-old gossip queen who knew everything about everyone. Between me and Bhupinder, it’s Bhupinder.
Bhupinder: Well, I don’t entertain gossip. If I want to know something, I directly ask the concerned person. So there is no such person on the set. But yes, Daljeet sometimes does come to me and says ‘this happened, and that happened’, so I don’t know if it’s gossip or information sharing.

Rapid Fire
Your favourite corner on the set
Daljeet: My make-up room
Bhupinder: In front of the Tulsi

Your favourite food on the set
Daljeet: I love to eat jaggery after every meal
Bhupinder: Tea

Your 2 am buddy on the set
Daljeet: Pratika and Aparna
Bhupinder: Purohitji hands down

Things you cannot do without on the set
Daljeet: My phone
Bhupinder: Conversation with my co-stars

Your favourite line on the set
Daljeet: Gud walli chai pila de
Bhupinder: Chai banao
Your stress buster on the set
Daljeet: My son’s photograph in my room
Bhupinder: Music and meditation

Your wildest fantasy
Daljeet: That the show becomes a super duper hit and goes on forever
Bhupinder: To go on a real long drive to Ladakh all by myself

Your dream date
Daljeet: My date starts and ends with my son
Bhupinder: My wife

Your first crush
Daljeet: My school friend
but I can’t reveal his name because he is still my friend
Bhupinder: A girl in my school