| How Dulhann changed Sharad and Divyanka's life Banno Main Teri Dulhann has completed more than a year. The lead pair Shard Malhotra (Saagar) and Divyanka Tripathi (Vidya), both contestants of Cine Stars Ki Khoj, won the best on-screen couple at the Indian Telly Awards. We asked both Sharad and Divyanka how their life has been changed during this period. "My life has turned around completely as the public recognizes me more as Vidya than Divyanka," admits the actress, "When I entered the television industry last year, I was a struggler. Even now I'm one because I'm trying to maintain that momentum of acting. Now with more serials, there is more competition. But one thing I noticed is that there is a self-improvement in acting and dancing which I feel is very important for every actress whether she may be in television or films. Recently at an award functions I performed with Sharad. I feel now I have become more of an extrovert." How does it feel to be a celebrity back in Bhopal? "To be very frank I was very famous in Bhopal because of my active participation in inter-collegiate programmes but in this one year I have become a worldwide celebrity which I can say is a major achievement of my life. All my Bhopal friends are very proud of me as they see me on-screen everyday. They tell their other friends 'Dulhann main jo Vidya ka kirdar nibha rahi hain woh hamari saheli hain'. |
Who all would you like to credit your popularity to? "I think Cine Stars Ki Khoj gave me the platform to perform. I came to know the A, B, C, and D…of acting which I'm using now. I had participated in it for the sake of fun. When I was in High School, I was an N.C.C. cadet and from childhood I wanted to become an army officer but something different was written in my fate."
Sharad Malhotra (Saagar), on the other hand, says, "Life has become hectic as compared to last year when I used to work for some 8 hours. Now we are all working for almost 14 hours daily."
Like Divyanka, Sharad too feels that Cine Stars Ki Khoj was pivotal for his career. "It was because of Cine Stars that I got the offer for Dulhann. During Cine Stars, there were fewer people who knew me but now girls are behind me. Because of my earlier get up in Dulhann, even children love me a lot. People give me a lot of love and respect which really feels nice."
He further reveals, "Next year in Jan I have got an invitation from my college St.Xaviers, Kolkatta. I have been nominated as the Best Actor by them. I'm missing my college and become a little nostalgic at times and still remember that I was little dumb, stupid."
Are you still in contact with your friends? "Yeah. I am in touch with both my school and college friends –Gaurav, Abhshek, Rajat and all so life is quite good."
Well life has indeed taken a turn for the good for this much adored on-screen couple.
Kumkum Bhagya
