Namkarann leading man Viraf Patel calls his co-star Sayantani ‘Antony’ Ghosh and she calls him ‘Virar local’. Amusing as it may sound, it has really helped the duo to get along well.
Sayantani’s tendency to tolerate Viraf’s bad jokes has earned her a permanent place in teh actor’s list of close friends. The great friendship the two co-stars share easily translates into their fabulous chemistry on the screen.
In a candid chat, Viraf and Sayantani tell us about their journey as co-stars and much more. Edited excerpts from the interview:
You guys are inseparable on the sets…
Viraf: I think its sweet in a way that we enjoy each other’s company. Not everyone enjoys the company of the person they work with. I am glad we share this equation. Even Sayantani will agree with me that we tend to spend time with each other because most of Sayantani’s scenes are with me. I also like that she gets annoyed with my jokes!
Sayantani: We hang out with everyone, but since I have a lot of scenes with Viraf, I spend a lot of time with him unintentionally. I am annoyed by his sense of humour, we do hang out with everyone equally on the sets. But most times I have scenes with Viraf, so we tend to spend time a lot with each other unintentionally. I am annoyed with his vicious sense of humour, but I have made my peace with it.
You have pretty weird names for each other…
Viraf: I call her Antony to annoy her. The irritated look that she gives when I call her Antony is more satisfying than digging into a jar of Nutella!
Sayantani: He keeps calling me Antony, so I call him Virar Local to annoy him.
Many co-stars insist that a thick friendship makes romancing awkward. Is it the case with you guys too?
Sayantani: I would not say awkward, because the on-screen chemistry between Neela and Ashish is quite interesting. We are best friends on the show, and the romance and love is pretty one-sided for Neela. We had to bring in the comfort level that best friends have, so filming romantic scenes aren’t awkward. But it is tricky for us! But I believe we have both successfully built a good chemistry.
Do you two connect well because you are also single?
Viraf: We are such good friends that there is nothing to it beyond our friendship.
Sayantani: We are friends, but there is nothing more to it.
Sayantani, Viraf is diet conscious, and you are ruining his diet plans by forcing him to eat sweets. Is that right?
Viraf: She just wants to see me get fat!
Sayantani: [Laughs] It gives me immense pleasure to see him eat junk food after gorging on his diet food.
Viraf, you are sandwiched between two attractive women — Sayantani and Barkha Bisht— on-screen as well as off-screen. How are you handling the situation?
Viraf: I feel like the luckiest guy right now! I share a good equation with the both of them. Who doesn’t like to be in the company of two beautiful women?
It’s seems like your tolerance towards each other is making the chemistry work…
Sayantani: If something has gone well or hasn’t during the shoot, we often call or text each other and give inputs for the previous and upcoming ones. We have a healthy work atmosphere. We criticise each other and go into arguments but at the end of the day, we realise that everything is for a common goal. I think that makes our chemistry work.
Viraf: I listen to whatever Antony has to say and agree with her.
So, who is a better co-star between the two of you?
Sayantani: You have to ask him if I am a good co-star as per him. At times we end up chatting for hours, and at times we argue too. We praise each other for our work all the time. I respect him for who he is.
Viraf: Better ka toh pata nahin but I am bitter and she is sweet.
Does it gets irritating when a co-star takes more re-takes?
Sayantani: Not really. He definitely takes a lot more re-takes but that’s because he wants to be perfect. But I understand the importance of going with the flow. I personally thrive for excellence and not perfection. Viraf is hard working. Over time, he has developed the habit of letting things flow spontaneously.
Viraf: I take a lot of retakes. I am busy trying to live up to Anthony’s standards.
Is there one trait in each other that annoys you?
Sayantani: Viraf feels that everything should be perfect, it is great quality to have but I also feel that he should go with the flow. This could bring a natural flair in his acting. I think he could also deliver a better performance because sometimes beauty also lies within imperfection.
Viraf: There are some very interesting sides to her personality. She is a calm person, but she doesn’t bring it into her character.
Rapid Fire
Your favourite corner on the sets:
Sayantani: None.
Viraf: A swing near the verandah.
Your favourite food on the sets:
Sayantani: I prefer carrying home-cooked food. Though I do like the coffee that the spot dada makes.
Viraf: I shamelessly eat from everyone’s tiffin!
Your 2 am buddy on the sets:
Sayantani: Barkha is my best friend. I can say that she is my 2 am buddy.
Viraf: Can't reveal it.
Your favourite line on the set:
Sayantani: Arrey thoda AC chala do (Please switch on the AC)
Viraf: Sir, shot is ready!
Your dream date:
Sayantani: Bradley Cooper
Viraf: Somewhere that smartphones don't work, with some guitar music playing in the background, along with some some candlelight and swimming gear.
