Destination Dev:BDay Photos,Articles,MORE

Apurva spent his early years in Kanpur and shifted to Mumbai in 1985. He was keen to become a pilot — "I flew for around 15-20 hours" — but destiny steered his course toward films when Subhash Ghai signed him for a pivotal role in Pardes.

Popularly known as Armaan Sir, Apurva is married to Shilpa Saklani who is better known as Ganga. After going through a Tom and Jerry chase, we finally pinned Apurva at Chaithrath studios, Powai.

In between mouthfuls of sinfully rich kheer brought by Rakshanda, he spoke about food. We had threatened to bop him on his head for giving us a run around but he was charm personified.

Apurva's thought for food

I normally have nine am shifts, so twice or thrice a week, I wake up early and go for a workout.

The first thing I have in the morning is a glass of milk shake — either a protein shake or a mango shake. I have tea only when I am shooting. At home I don't have tea.

I go to a gym opposite Fame Adlabs for my workout. When I am working out, I don't speak to anybody; I am totally focused for half an hour. Later, I shower and head straight for the shoot.

If I have a day off, my mother prepares aloo ka parathas for me. Otherwise, it's eggs, bread and butter.

There was a time when I was gunning for those six-pack abs. People remarked that I had lost a lot of weight but I was feeling very fit. I was really in great shape, but then, I guess it took its toll on my face — it began looking too slim. Now I don't care because I have realised that in television your physique hardly makes any difference, because you are dressed from head to toe most of the times.

In the studio, I prefer my tea with adrak. Since it's not always possible for them to organise that, I have started carrying elaichi from home, which I ask them to add to my tea.

Recently, Shilpa and I hired a cook and now carry our tiffins to the studio. I don't like to trouble my mother because she has done enough for us. My tiffin is very simple. It usually comprises paneer, rice, roti and a vegetable/ dal.

I like bhindi; I dislike karela. Tadka yellow dal is my favourite.

I was a non-vegetarian previously but now I eat only eggs. My mom is a pure vegetarian. She asked to stop eating non-vegetarian. It's the least I could do for her.

When I am shooting, I keep sipping tea or coffee. By the end of the day, I have drunk 7-8 cups of tea — that's quite a lot.

I am very fond of meetha; I like to have it with my lunch and not after it. I like kheer. My mother-in-law makes amazing sugar-free rasmalai. I am from Kanpur, so I like imarti jalebi and ladoos. I like pineapple pastries any time, anywhere.

My poison is Baccardi.

My mother-in-law is an awesome cook and I have decided that if in my life I ever open a restaurant, I will make her the cook-in-charge. She makes excellent cheesy Italian fare.

By evening, I am ravenous. I like to have a cup of tea and omelette sandwiches. Holiday Inn's masala omelette sandwiches are a class apart.

I like to have an early dinner, but of late, I have been undisciplined.

At times I skip dinner, altogether. I have a protein chocolate bar instead. I have soup and boiled vegetables for dinner on other days.

I love cheese so I like Italian food, especially pastas. After marriage, we have been going out at least twice a week. Our current haunts are Kareem's and The Marriott.

For me dal, chawal and roti is the ultimate meal.

In Kanpur, we used to live in a joint family. But our food habits have remained the same – even in Canada, my cousins still prepare food as the family did when we lived together.

On a hot summer's day, I like to have a chilled glass of beer.

On a rainy day in Mumbai, I like to have omelettes. I am an egg freak.

On a cold winter's day, I would like to cruise on a bike at 100 mph.

I think I resemble a lauki, because I am lanky.

I have never entered the kitchen but I can whip up a mean omelette.

My favourite spice is elaichi.

My favourite appliance is the mixer.

An admission: I like baked vegetables with puris, followed by sugar-free rasmalai at my mother-in-law's.

Shilpa and I both love paneer bhurji. She can cook good non- vegetarian food even though she doesn't eat it herself.

When we were dating, every evening was a romantic evening. Shilpa and I are very fond of watching movies. So a romantic evening would include a visit to the theatre. If the film is boring, we end up binging on snacks.

ROOM WITH A VIEW: Apoorva and Shilpa in their favourite corner Apoorva Agnihotri (Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin's Armaan) and wife Shilpa Saklani (Kkusum, and Ganga of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi) are never at home. "We are out for most of the day, shooting — it's only late at night or early morning that you will find us in the house," says Shilpa. Shilpa does the talking It is post 10 pm when we catch up with them. As usual, Shilpa does all the talking, while Apoorva answers in monosyllables, sometimes completes a line, or simply smiles. He prefers being reticent, "as there is nothing much to say anyway." Moved in 8 months ago Their home in a Lokhandwala highrise is simple. "We shifted here eight months ago from Yari Road, and we have done whatever we could," says Shilpa. "There is not much time to actually go shopping for the house. That's Shilpa's territory anyway," says Apoorva. "The only stuff that I actually bought was a wall clock which I picked up at a lifestyle store. I liked it, I picked it up," he says. "At the moment we have done up the living room, for the rest — the kitchen and bedroom — we are taking our time. We are in no hurry," adds Shilpa, who is partial towards glass. "I don't like bulky wooden pieces," she explains. Summery hues The living room has a bright yellow dining table with matching yellow chairs, while the sofas are in lime green. There are knick-knacks picked up from here and there, besides two orange beans bags placed near the window. "This is our favourite corner. "Both us sitting on the bean bags survey the entire scene outside." Their house is on the 20th floor, so there is a good view of Lokhandwala and beyond. Acting out roles On the work front, Apoorva has exclusively acted in Jassi for two years. "There is no other acting offer on the small or big screen that has excited or tempted me. I am happy being Jassi's Armaan," he says. He prefers the Jassi of the initial days — the "real" McCoy, as she was at Gulmohar House. Shilpa laughingly says she is "chakki pissaoing" with Kkusum and Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. The couple will be seen together in the soon-to-be-launched Star One show on telly husband-wife pairs. shaheen@mid-day.com

FULL OF BEANS: These two sure love colour! UP AGAINST A WALL: A full view of their eating area SUNNY SIDE UP: The dining table is a splash of colour WON'T LET GO: Shilpa and Apoorva cosy up LIFT KARA DE: Howzzat! says the couple Pics: Pradeep

Apoorva and Shilpa - nothing like dal chaawal

Shilpa and Apurva

Shilpa and Apurva Agnihotri: the cosy twosome

Apurva Agnihotri and Shilpa Saklani

This couple can't get over the fact that they have been married for over a year now. They come across as a snobbish pair. Besides the Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin and Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi gang, Shilpa and Apurva have only themselves for company. Coochie coo meter: 5/10

He played the office Adonis in Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin. Confident, arrogance personified, with a attitude to die for. And now Armaan Sir aka Apurva Agnihotri is back as Dev in Sony's Kaajjal Sabbki Aankhon Mein Basi.

Interestingly, this time too, the character Dev has been sketched somewhat on similar lines. Apurva, who's just back after a 10 day shoot from Mussoorie, he reveals on a rather giggly note, "I play a beast in Kaajjal. And I took up the role cause I love grey characters which are quite challenging to play on-screen."
Well, but in real life the suave and sophisticated actor appears rather unpretentious and very down to earth.

Though slightly difficult to get him talking, the not- so- media savvy actor opens up, often smiling innocently, grinning cheek to cheek and sometimes breaking into a giggle.

So, here goes Apurva on his new show, wife, life and future plans.

Your Armaan Sir act in Jassi won you the best actor trophy at The Indian Telly Awards 2005, but then haven't seen much of you lately?
I had slogged a lot for three long years to essay the role of Armaan Suri. I wanted to take a break. And as far as the award goes, I think I was plain lucky to win it. Because on a personal level, I admire actors like say Pankaj Kapoor in Office Office. I think I still have a long way to go and learn.

But I am sure there would have been offers from Star or Zee. How come your next show is also for Sony?
There were some good offers from other channel but I didn't take them up. Though, I don't think its ethical to mention them. But definitely, I've been lucky for Sony and vice versa, so I decided to go ahead with this show. Also, I don't really have the brains to be choosy, actually I act on my instincts.

What exactly exited you about the character Dev?
Dev is a beast and has shades of evil. He is arrogant, egoistic, prone to anger and thinks money can buy him everything. But there's a logic to his anger and ego. Certain incidents in his life have made him a loner and he has stopped believing in people. I quite like the character and in many ways it resembles Armaan Sir of Jassi. Now, lets hope even Dev works for Sony. Also, the production house is presenting the soap in a unique way.

How are you in real life?
I am an introvert and extremely shy of people. I need to know people really well to open up. Also, I am very scared of being on stage and facing people. I would rather hide it all on the small screen.

So, inspite of being an introvert you've managed to woo one of the most ravishing ravishing woman in tellydom (read Shilpa Saklani)?
(Giggles) Actually i didn't really woo Shilpa, but it was a common friend who played the matchmaker for both of us.

Tell us about your struggling days?
I didn't have to struggle in the TV industry really, but I have had to go through a different sort of struggle. I wanted to be a pilot in life. I spent a lot of money, time and effort to do so and later there were no jobs available for me in the market. After which I lost my father. In terms of money, it was a huge investment..

So, from pilot to acting.. How did that happen?
Acting happened accidently though it was always a second option.

What plans for the future?
Strictly speaking I want to be behind the camera, as a director and writer. Not too many people know that my father Gyandev Agnihotri was a writer. He was associated with some good films like Beta and Mr Natwarlal.

From actor to writer. Won't you miss all the limelight?
I believe in life whatever goes up in life must come down. All this adulation as an actor will not last for too long. I want to go ahead and prove that even not so good actors like me can be good directors.

Are you signing up more films. Haven't seen much of you after the Pardes days?
I did a couple of disaster films which were not worth writing home about. Also, I believe in riding on one horse at one time. Maybe after a period of three or four years, I will be looking at getting into films.

As for Apurva's selection is concerned, we needed a fresh face, but at the same time he should look mature enough to head the fashion house and hold his own. So we thought that someone from the film industry would fit the bill.

NIGHTOUTpurva Agnihotri

Well that's it.... I thhink I am done updating. I added a bunch of pics in. Enjoy.