{ Anand Sagar's Ramayan Appreciation Thread #8 } - Page 7

The sets of Zee TV's Punarvivaah saw a double celebration recently when the primetime show completed a glorious 1 year run and the lead actor of the show, Gurmeet Choudhary who rules millions of female hearts turned 29.

Punarvivaahcompleted a Glorious 1 Year Run & actor Gurmeet Choudhary brought in his 29^th birthday

The sets of Zee TV's Punarvivaah saw a double celebration recently when the primetime show completed a glorious 1 year run and the lead actor of the show, Gurmeet Choudhary who rules millions of female hearts turned 29. We chatted up with the television heart-throb.

Q. Happy Birthday, Gurmeet and heartiest congratulations on the successful 1 year run of Punarvivaah. What is the feeling like today?

A. Thank you for your wishes. It's been a great celebration on the sets with so many fans landing up - some from Europe and Pakistan too. It's a feeling of accomplishment. Punarvivaah is a show that has actually made a difference to the way people think about remarriage. It's a feeling of satisfaction when a crew member recently came over and told me that he considered and is actually getting remarried after working on the show. Scores of people write in to me telling me how the show has inspired them to give marriage a second shot after a divorce or having lost their spouse. More and more women have begun to assert their right tohappiness after a failed marriage or widowhood.

Q. What do you think has worked well for the show?

A. The show delivers a strong message without being too preachy. Right since its launch, it raised very pertinent questions as to why there is a separate set of rules for men and women when it comes to remarriage. The idea of a mother-in-law taking a vow to get her own bahu remarried after her son has deserted her for no fault of hers, appealed to fans all over. The gradual adjustments of two people who have been married in the past, their teething troubles before they slowly come together were depicted in a realistic manner and people could relate to it.

Q. How has the journey from playing Ram to playing Yash been?

A. It's been an exciting journey, without a doubt! Each role has had so many shades, layers ... I have been able to bring forth so many aspects of my own individual personality in front of the audience with each role. And the appreciation ... It's all been so overwhelming. It's the love of my fans and their blessings that have brought me to where I stand today. I hope my well wishers and fans continue to appreciate my work and shower me with affection in the coming years.

Q. How are you celebrating your birthday? Any special plans with Debina?

A. Debina had a surprise for me at midnight. She initially said that it was going to be just the two of us. And she sat in front of me and asked me to close my eyes. Within moments of my closing my eyes, so many of our friends landed up in the room ... it was a pyjama party of sorts and we all chilled and had a great time!

Q. What do you do between takes when you are on the sets? What is your bonding with your co-stars like?

A. Oh, this is something everybody will tell you on the sets. I am well known for my naps. As soon as there is a break between takes, I instantly get horizontal and catch up on some much needed sleep. I do bond well with my co-stars. When you work as a team, it is important to share a good chemistry and warm vibe with those around.

Q. Any other movie or television projects in the pipeline?

A. There are some projects in the wings. But I would rather not divulge too many details of that at this stage. I choose my projects very carefully and I am currently deliberating on a couple of them.

Q. What do you enjoy more? Acting or dancing?

A. I am an actor who dances, not a dancer who can act. I love both acting and dancing as I enjoy both the forms of expression. They both call for creativity and imagination.

Q. How do you maintain such a fit physique? Is it a strict diet or a lot of exercise?

A. It is a combination of being genetically blessed, a lot of meticulous hard work in the gym and controlling the diet too. I am glad my fans appreciate my physique!