It helps that we understand each other: Karuna Pandey

Bhaage Re Mann lead couple Karuna Pandey and Chandan Anand’s flawless chemistry has touched a chord with the audiences. On screen they maybe seen as a bickering couple, but off-screen, the duo tells us, they are best friends. In an informal chat, Karuna and Chandan, who play Padmini and Raghav, tell us all about their journey and what makes their pairing a hit.

So, how did you guys break the ice when you two met for the first time on the sets of the show?
Karuna: Luckily we had met several times for mock shoots and reading sessions much before we could start shooting for the show. During that phase, we became comfortable with each other. Chandan is a friendly guy, so it wasn’t that difficult to get the conversation going with him.
Chandan: As Karuna mentioned, we went through month-long rehearsals, mock shoots and reading sessions prior to shooting. So that helped us get to know each other. Also, our theatre background and common interests helped us bond easily before the shoot started. Hence, we were comfortable with each other on the very first day of the shoot.

Was it awkward to shoot romantic scenes initially?
Karuna: In the starting episodes we didn’t have any romantic scenes since our relationship was more like Tom & Jerry — we were always fighting! The romantic scenes happened much later but by then we got to know each other well. But I will admit that it took a little time to make the romantic scenes real.
Chandan: By the time our romantic track started, we were comfortable with each other. There was no awkwardness while shooting for the romantic scenes. In fact,  during the shoot of our romantic scenes we laughed like maniacs. It’s fun to see Padmini and Raghav’s romance — it’s a unique love story. It always ends up with her playing some prank on Raghav.

Who is a better co-star among the two of you?
Karuna: It depends. There are days when I feel I am better and some days he is better.
Chandan: Karuna — I believe that to be a good actor, one has to be a good human being first.  

What makes your onscreen chemistry work?
Karuna: I think the rapport we share off the screen helps us emote well onscreen. We have become good friends and we understand each other, so that really helps us act well.
Chandan: Our off-screen chemistry too is great; we understand each other well and that is all thanks to Karuna. She knows me in and out; she handles my mood swings, and has always been there through my ups and downs. Our off-screen chemistry is so beautiful that today I can share anything with her. Our trust in each other makes it easy to perform any kind of scene.

So, who takes more re-takes?
Karuna: To be honest, neither of us since we are too good in our work! (Laughs) We often tell each other “Kaise kar lete hain aap” (“how do you do it!”).
Chandan: I would say it’s me as I am seldom satisfied and I feel that I can do
better than the previous take.

Is there any particular scene that has made its way to your heart?
Karuna: There are a couple of emotional scenes that we did recently which are close to me. I have explored a different side to myself while doing those scenes.
Chandan: Every scene takes the story ahead with a thought. There was this scene where Jyoti (essayed by Vasundhara Kaul) throws Ashutosh’s (played by Ankit Narang) luggage outside the house and Ashutosh curses Jyoti. On hearing that, Raghav gets angry and warns him against coming back. It’s the first time Raghav takes a strong stance on an issue. It was so beautifully written that it made an impact on me.

What’s your off-screen equation like?
Karuna: We have a very good equation off screen; we are like buddies.
Chandan: We are best friends.

Any annoying habits/secrets you would like to reveal about each other?
Karuna: Chandan has an annoying habit of arguing.
Chandan: She loves giving gifts to people. We had just started getting friendly and on my birthday she shocked me by gifting me an expensive
perfume and clothing vouchers worth '30,000. I find this trait to be annoying.

Where are you most likely to be found during breaks?
Karuna: The bungalow, where we shoot, has a beautiful lawn with benches overlooking the sea. Mostly we all hang out there and chit-chat.

One thing you like about each other and one thing you dislike?
Karuna: One thing I like about Chandan is that he is sincere. The thing that I dislike about him is that he can get stubborn.
Chandan: I like the fact that she is a large-hearted person and has a bindaas attitude. The one thing I dislike about her is that she ignores me if she finds a pet on the sets.

Any scene that made you go ‘ohh wish I had done it better’?
Karuna: Initially when I was getting a grip on the character, there were several scenes I thought I could do better. But then again, an actor always feels that way…
Chandan: Not really. As I mentioned earlier, whenever I was not convinced about my shot, I asked for a retake and improvised on it just so that I didn’t regret it later!

Who is the jagga jasoos on the sets who gets all the gossip — you or her?
Karuna: (Laughs) Well, actually, it’s both of us! We indulge in gossip sessions often.
Chandan: Our jasoosi territories are divided. Then we share our gossip with each other.

Rapid fire:

Your favourite corner on the sets?
Karuna: The lawn bench
Chandan: The spot guys’ hut, I love having tea over there and hearing their stories
 
Your favourite food on the sets?
Karuna: Aatta Noodles
Chandan: Kheer and chole bhature
 
Your 2 am buddy on the sets?
Karuna: Chandan
Chandan: Nishad Vaidya
 
Things you cannot do without on the sets?
Karuna: Chit-chat with my co-stars
Chandan: The script sheets, a pen and my Bluetooth speakers for music
 
Your favourite line on the sets?
Karuna: Chalo chalo ghar nahi jana?
Chandan: Jai Mata Di!
 
Your stressbuster on the sets?
Karuna: Cats and pups
Chandan: Meditation and my co-actor Nishad Vaidya
 
Your wildest fantasy?
Karuna: Chilling underwater with my husband
Chandan: I don’t think I can share it here.
 
Your dream date?
Karuna: It has to be my husband, Rutwij Vaidya
Chandan: Scarlett Johansson and Priyanka Chopra

Your first crush?
Karuna: When I was in school I had a crush on my senior from 12th standard
Chandan: A girl named Divya from my third standard tuitions.