I Feel Blessed to Have Rithvik: Asha Negi

She gained immense popularity playing Purvi in Pavitra Rishta on Zee TV. But off screen, Asha Negi is sweet, simple yet ambitious girl. Speaking to Masala!, Asha tells us all about her journey - beginning from Uttarakhand to making it big in tellywood and of course, falling in love with Rithvik Dhanjani.

You hail from a well-to-do family in Uttarakhand. Did they support your career choice?

That was definitely the most difficult part. My mother wanted me to become an army officer. They found it difficult to accept that I would be staying alone in Mumbai and trying my luck in an industry where I had no connections. But I stood my ground and even went on a hunger strike for two days. That is how I convinced my mum first and she then convinced my dad (smiles).

Considering you won the Miss Uttarakhand title, why didn't you go for the Miss India contest?

Actually, the state pageant was a little easier and at that time, I wasn't groomed enough to apply for the Miss India contest. Besides, they have certain strict terms and conditions and standards like height, weight, etc. I don't think I was prepared. I always wanted to pursue acting so I thought of coming to Mumbai.

Who do you find inspiring in the television industry?

I look up to Sakshi Tanwar who I have worked with. She is so senior and talented yet very down to earth. I have worked with many other stars but I always look up to her because I want to be like her.

You have been dating Rithvik Dhanjani for a while now. Did participating in Nach Baliye together help your relationship?

Yes, of course it did. Now we have become more patient. Earlier, we would always fight but now we have become more coordinated. It is very easy for us to dance at an event because we gel well on stage together. It has also helped us in our relationship; we understand each other better now.

If one of you loses your cool, how do you sort it out? Who is the more hot-headed of the two?

(Smiles) I am very short-tempered! I feel very blessed to have Rithvik because I am always hyper and have a huge ego problem. But he keeps me grounded; he is the calmer one and always makes me understand things. He would point out my wrongdoings even if I am very angry he manages to calm me down.

When did you realise you were in love with Rithvik?

We started dating a few months before we participated in Nach Baliye. Nach Baliye is a real test for couples because if you can survive the competition you are actually made for each other! That is what happened in our case too. It is very difficult to get through the competition because there is so much stress and your patience is constantly tested. Moreover, we were also shooting for Pavitra Rishta for 12 to 13 hours at a stretch, post which we had two hours of rehearsals every single day. Being with each other for those 22 hours was definitely very difficult. I was in love with him then too but I think that was the time I realised I could spend my whole life with him.

How has life been after winning Nach Baliye?

I wasn't prepared to participate in NachBaliye. I was too scared to match Rithvik's steps. He being an excellent dancer while I'm pretty bad at it. But Rithvik convinced me; he wanted to do Nach Baliye for me. He had already done Jhalak Dikhlaa Jaaand so many reality shows. He had experienced that feeling but he wanted me to experience it myself. Post Nach Baliye, it was like a dream come true. For those three-four months when we were doing Nach Baliye, the only thing on our minds was to win the title. We worked really hard so winning the competition was a dream come true.

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