Paired to perfection

Abhay Vakil and Chhavi Pandey star as Raunak and Kajal in the new TV show, Silsila Pyar Ka. While Shilpa Shirodkar’s act as Raunak’s overly-possessive mother Janki Devi is what’s currently keeping the audience hooked, Abhay and Chhavi’s pairing too has found fans.

In a chat with us the actors discussed striking a comfortable equation with each other on the sets, how they’re discovering facets of each other, and more…

Abhay, Chhavi, tell us what makes your on-screen chemistry a hit.
Abhay: [Laughs] I guess the one-sided love story between Raunak and Kajal — which is really the story of every man’s romance, until he makes it two-sided!  
Chhavi: Our fans think we look really cute together and off screen also, we are good friends. I think that makes us look even better on screen.

Tell us a fun fact about your co-star.
Abhay: She gets annoyed very quickly, so I tease her a lot and annoy her!
Chhavi: Abhay loves pulling everyone’s leg, specially Shilpaji’s!

Have you ever ended up laughing during the shoot of a serious or intense scene?
Abhay: Fortunately we both are serious actors. When it comes to work, we do all our laughing offscreen.
Chhavi: Oh, but there was this one time when Abhay was enacting the scene where Raunak asks Kajal out. The way he delivered his dialogues was really funny! I burst out laughing — and this was supposed to be a serious scene where Raunak’s mother insults me (Kajal).  

What’s been the funniest or cutest comment you’ve received from fans about your pairing on screen?
Abhay: A fan once called us “Abhiv”, a combination of our first names!
Chhavi: Nothing funny as such, but fans do keep sending messages about how the two of us look really cute together.

What’s one thing about your co-star that you admire and one thing that annoys you?
Abhay: I admire Chhavi’s dedication towards her work. What annoys me are her lapses in replying to calls and messages at times.  
Chhavi: When he delivers his dialogues, he has this very weird British accent, which sounds very cool to me! Nothing about Abhay annoys me — he’s a great guy, very sensible. He never says or does anything that may make me feel bad.

Who is the bigger foodie among the two of you?
Abhay: Chhavi! She gets a huge dabba every day. And she is a lovely host. She gets fruit yogurts and pickles for me every day.
Chhavi: Me! I’m the biggest foodie. Abhay is very diet conscious and eats very small portions. I love gorging on pani puri.

What’s been a crazy moment on the sets for you?
Abhay: Still awaiting one.
Chhavi: Yes, the crazy moment hasn’t happened yet.

Rapid fire

Favourite spot on the sets:
Abhay: My make-up room
Chhavi: The staircase; Shilpaji, Abhay and I sit there when we’re shooting

I am addicted to:
Abhay: Working out in between scenes
Chhavi: My gym and workout sessions

The song on my mind:
Abhay: The Sun Is Shining And So Are You...
Chhavi: For A Thousand Years (from Twilight)

Last movie I enjoyed:
Abhay: Bajirao Mastani
Chhavi: Ditto

Have you had a disaster date?
Abhay: Yes, I had a pizza date with someone and got stood up. But since I had already ordered a 24-inch pizza, I ate it all and fell sick with stomach cramps.
Chhavi: No, never

I’m most afraid of:
Abhay: My name means “fearless” [smiles]
Chhavi: My father’s anger

My dream date would be:
Abhay: I’m still awaiting that dream girl for that dream date!
Chhavi: Would be with Enrique Iglesias