| Gauri Pradhan and Hiten Tejwani are one of tellywood's most loved celeb couples. They first met for the shoot of a commercial and later on, they were cast together in serials like Kkutumb and Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi where their reel romance translated into real-life romance! It's been two years to their marriage and they can still easily pass off as newly weds. In fact, their chemistry and tuning is very much evident in Nach Balliye 2, which is currently helping them garner public votes! Anil Merani caught up with Hiten-Gauri for a quick tete-e-tete to find out the secret to their enduring romance! |
"Post NB we will surely think about starting a family"
| You had a two year long courtship, did you agree to Hiten's proposal easily?
Gauri: No I really made him sweat! He had to go through the entire tried and tested formula of wining, dinning and giving flowers. He also made repeated requests for marriage and finally I had pity on him and said yes (laughs).
Hiten: Yes, it was not an easy ride for me. But imagine if she had consented quickly, there would have been no fun in courting her! I am a traditional guy, who believes that one must keep pursing his love, till she says yes. Since this is Hiten's second marriage, Gauri were you uncomfortable with that?
Gauri: See it would have been a a problem, if he had not told me. The fact is I am liberal and broad minded. My only fear was about whether my folks would accept him; which after some cajoling, they finally did. Was there any fear of taking the plunge for the second time?
Hiten: No. See marriage is about compatibility, which Gauri and me share big time. It has also been two years of marriage. Have you ever thought of starting a family?
Both: See a decision to start a family is not something which can be taken in haste. One needs to take into various factors like career and time. Hence, post NB 2 when we have the time, we will surely give it a serious thought. |
"Gauri is a very good cook - Hiten
| How important is space for both of you?
Gauri: Very important for me but not for Hiten. He loves to be in the company of people, while I often feel the need to withdraw into my personal corner. But having said that after marriage, I literally had to throw Hiten out of the house to meet his friends. I told him 'please don't ignore them as then you might lose company of friends which you need'. Who makes the first move to patch up after a miya-biwi ruffle?
Gauri: It's him. Hiten is always the first one to come forward and say sorry. So sweet na?
Hiten: What's wrong in apologizing? Tiffs happen in all marriages. Why let your ego spoil such a beautiful relationship?
Does Hiten cook?
Gauri: Good God, no! I don't want my kitchen to look like a disaster zone. That's one place in our house, where his entry is barred.
Hiten: Yes baba, I admit that I can't cook for nuts. But then at times I do make nice tea and boiled eggs for Gauri early in the morning. It's the thought that counts more than the action (laughs). She's a very good cook and I simply adore the fish curry she makes. Does Hiten buy you clothes?
Gauri: What, shopping for me! I have to buy for him too! I don't trust his style.
Hiten: See the reason she shops for me is that firstly, I don't have time and secondly, I trust her dressing sense implicitly. As for shopping for her goes, when we go out together, and I spot an outfit, which I think will suit her, we buy it. I don't believe in giving gifts, just for sake of it!
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"We would love to go to Sri Lanka or Maldives"
| So Gauri, what is the best gift you have given your hubby?
Gauri: My self! What can be so important than me?
One very good quality about your partner.
Gauri: He's very honest and straight forward.
Hiten: She is caring and loving. One trait of your partner that you can't stand?
Gauri: He simply can't keep his things in the right place. But then it's a guy thing!
Hiten: She should learn to control her temper.
One character played by your partner that you like the most.
Hiten: Gauri in Kutumb
Gauri: Karan in Kyun Ki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.
Which destination would be your ideal romantic vacation?
Both: Working in daily soaps hardly leaves you with time for yourself. So how do we plan a vacation? But if given a chance, we surely will go for a nice romantic getaway to either Sri Lanka or Maldives. We love isolated beaches. "I used to say, 'how dumb these serials are', but it's a cliche now!" |
| When opportunity beckons, make the best of it - Mouni Roy perhaps embodies this phrase. This 20 something petite girl who hails from West Bengal was chosen among thousands of applicants to play the character of KrishnaTulsi in Kyunki...and this, when the girl had no intentions of joining the entertainment industry. Ekta Kapoor's latest find, Mouni Roy talks to Tellychakkar.com's Sameera Kapoor about life in the industry.
Did you always dream of becoming an actress?
It was destiny. How else can this be explained - a first year Mass Media student of Jamia Islamia lands a plum role when the only thing she was upto was fun? I was waiting for some friends who were late and decided to have some fun by going to the audition being held in Noida....I was lucky to bag the role! How does it feel to be the chosen one….
It certainly feels great, but at same time I feel lost. So much is happening and that to at such a pace that I don't even have the time to sit and enjoy it.
Has Ekta given any reason for choosing you?
She didn't give any reason in particular. She just stated that the moment she saw me she could visualise me as a part of the serial. Did you audition particularly for Tulsi?
Interestingly, no. As the audition was for both the good and the bad characters, I had auditioned for the part of Bhumi as I couldn't memorise the lines of Krishna Tulsi which was written in pure Hindi. However, Ektaji said that she found all the positive qualities in me that which she was searching for in Krishna Tulsi. How was it to be facing the camera for the first time…
I was not nervous the first day of shoot because I was the only one shooting that day! Therefore I didn't have any scenes with the senior actors. But the second day of shoot I was really nervous and had butterflies in my stomach - I was to share the screen space with Smriti Irani. So how was it to act with Smriti Irani…
It was really a great experience for me. I was a nervous wreck, but Smritiji made me feel easy. She explained to me about the nitty gritties involved. She is an adorable actor. She can emote any given scene at a given time and switch to her real self with equal ease. Prior to joining Balaji, have you ever watched the serial…
No, I haven't watched Kyunki...before. I used to say, 'how dumb these serials are', but it's a cliche now! If not an actor then….
I would have done something in the field of theatre, puppetry shows. Don't you feel that it's a huge responsibility of having to play the character of Krishna Tulsi?
Yes absolutely. Infact right from the day my character was telecast people began o compare me with Tulsi. How are preparing yourself to match to the expectation?
Well, am I trying to get into the skin of the character. For this I must thank my directors, writer and all those who are helping me. How have your parents taken your fame…
My parents were not keen on this. Not that they didn't like this profession. It's just that they wanted me to complete my studies first and then pursue a profession. My dad is indifferent. But my mom is totally agog! Don't you miss being home?
Don't even remind me about my home! I get very emotional if I think about my family. Yes, they will be coming over to meet me but they cannot shift just for me as my dad is in the West Bengal Civil Service. So, were do you stay in Mumbai…
Balaji has provided me apartment in Oshiwara. But soon I will looking out for a more comfortable place to stay. How do you cope with the grueling shooting session..
I believe it's for the best. After all it's we who are presented before the audience and therefore it becomes necessary for the production house to get the best out of us. Besides, it's a part and parcel of an actor's life. So it's best to accept it rather than crib about it. Any future projects….
No, I cannot even think of another show right now. | "I never had a fallout with Ekta Kapoor" |
| Sandeep Baswana was last in news when he quit Kyunki...and Kkoi Dil Mein Hai..and he made headlines recently when he resumed work as 'Saahil' on the Star Plus primetime show. Here he bares his heart out to Prashant Golecha clarifying there was never a fallout between him and Ekta. On himself and his career journey
I am a simple person who leads a simple life. I was born in Haryana and I have been brought up in North India. I came to Bombay with the ambition to become a director. I did few ad campaigns for products like Kwality walls, L.G. colour TV, Britannia Chai biscuit and that boosted my confidence. Then I thought of using acting as a platform for the same. I have been in Bombay since last six years. I started my acting career with Balaji show Kuchh Jhuki Si Palkein for Sony followed by Kamal and Kyunki saas bhi Kabhi Bahu thi.
On leaving Kyunki.. and Koi Dil Mein Hain
After working for three and a half years on television I was exhausted. I was shooting for Kyunki… and Koi Dil Mein hain simultaneously. I worked in Koi Dil Mein hai for nearly ten months. I had a little problem with executive producer at that time. I was shooting day and night. I was the main lead in Koi Dil mein hai. It wasn't professional on my part to leave the shows but I needed the break. I wasn't also physically well as I had a muscle spasm problem. I didn't have any fall out with Ekta Kapoor. On being back in Balaji and Kkavyanjali
I was approached to play 'Shloak' in Kaavyanjali and I agreed. I am the only real son of Amrita Singh playing Nitya in the show. Balaji had a problem with the guy who was playing "Saahil" so I was roped in back. On being Saahil again
I had played Saahil for two years previously so I knew my character. The Kyunki star cast is very professional. All are talented. Atmosphere is buddy buddy types. There are only three male character Karan, Gomzi and Mihir besides mine. I relate to Sahil of present times more than the one I played previously. Saahil now is very human. For him to err is human. The drama and intensity in the character makes it special. Few characters have died and few new have come. Fitness Mantra
I don't have time to go to gym. I do skipping. I do stretching and push-ups when I get time. I drink a lot of milk at least two litres a day and like a typical North Indian love desi ghee and ghar ka Khanna. I am more of a vegetarian. At home non-veg is not cooked. Personal life
I am single but not ready to mingle. There is no time for personal life. I am absolutely focused on work. At this stage my professional life is my personal life. I am working day and night. Friends in the industry
Shabir Ahluwalia who has worked with me in Kyunki...for some time is the only family I have in Bombay. He is like my brother. On Astrology and Numerology
They are entertaining to me. I live one day at a time and don't follow anything.
On Balaji Telefilms and Ekta Kapoor
After films Balaji production house is the best. For actors it is a paradise. Actors are paid on time and are pampered. I have a professional relationship with Ekta Kapoor. I keep bumping her into parties. Ekta is accessible if I need I can call her up. She sometimes visits sets also. Best and worst thing about entertainment industry
Best thing is work is entertainment and it pays well. The worst thing is mediocrity, which needs t obe worked upon.
Future Plans
I want to direct films. Initially I don't intend to act in the films I make. I am very clear about my ambitions. | |
Jhanak
