The handsome and talented Zain Imam turns a year older today. While the past year has been a hugely successful one for the actor, this birthday is a bittersweet one. After all, his hit show, Naamkarann, is airing its last episode on his special day. Fans of the show are mighty upset with the makers for this unceremonious end to their favourite serial and have flooded social media with angry messages. While the actors are disappointed, Zain has stated before that it is always better to end on a high. On the occasion of Zain's birthday and Naamkarann's last airing date, Bollywood Life decided to catch up with the lead actors, Aditi Rathore and Zain for an interview. It was a hot sweltering day in Goregaon but Aditi made sure we were comfortable in her makeup room. In this freewheeling chat, the two talk about each other and what Naamkarann meant in their lives. Excerpts from the interview...
People are crazy about your pairing. What made AvNeil so special?
Zain: Chemistry! I feel everyone saw Neil Khanna and wished they had someone like him in their lives. Anyone would want Neil for their daughter. There was an aspirational value to the character.
Aditi: I think it is hard work, chemistry, the way we did our scenes. People like the hard work we put in. I feel girls admired Avni for her inner strength and sense of self-respect. There was a lot to love about her.
Do you feel the show suffered because of people watching it online instead of on TV?
Zain: Majorly, the reason was people watching it on Hotstar. Our digital audience is very high, I feel it is more than Ishqbaaaz, Yeh Hai Mohabbatein or Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai.
What did you love about each other's characters?
Aditi: I think Neil is very supportive and caring. He loves Avni a lot.
Zain: I feel Avni is a very strong-headed female character. She is someone who takes a stance. It is a very important thing for a girl.
#AvNeil/#AdiZa fans are dying for the day when Zain and Aditi will start dating in actual life. Does this demand bother you?
Zain: Hmm, it is annoying at times but you have to maintain patience. In this industry, link-ups are bound to happen. But it's nothing major. Yeh unka pyaar hai jo ubhar ke aata hai. We work hard to get loved and appreciated. Log humein pasand kare, humein sarhaye yeh hum chahte hain.
What do you like about each other as actors? What have you learnt from one another?
Aditi: He is a great performer, a good actor who understands emotions well and portrays them nicely.
Zain: Hahaha...She has learnt a lot from me. She has immense patience. I think that is the best thing about Aditi. You need patience to survive showbiz. Patience helps you whether you have work or are struggling to bag projects.
What does Naamkarann mean in your lives? Zain, you have had a successful run so far but it's Aditi's first show as a lead.
Aditi: It was my first show as a leading lady. Naamkarann got me a lot of recognition everywhere. It feels great to see my hard work paying off.
Zain: It feels good when you know there are people to support you. The best thing that can happen to an actor is that people start liking and loving him. You get recognized and half of your mission is accomplished.
Have you tried to analyse why girls are so crazy about Zain? We have heard that you are a charmer even off-screen...
Zain: Once I get free from shooting, I will try to understand why girls are so crazy about me. Iss baat par gaur farmaungaa (Laughs out loud). Yes, my charm works off screen as well. But I am not like a charmer charmer. I use my charm if there is some work or something.
Aditi: Hahahaha...It is good to be a charmer!
Zain: We go for movies or hookah parties. Everybody is my BFF from the team. Koi dushman nahi hai. The senior artistes been very supportive of us. They talk to us nicely and there is no sense of seniority.
Zain, what are your birthday plans?
Zain: I haven't planned anything as such. I am not a guy who has big birthday bashes.
Where are you guys planning to holiday now that the show is over?
Aditi: I am thinking of where to go, it is undecided so far. I have not taken a break in the past one year or so.
Zain: I am also undecided on the destination. Will figure that out later.
What do you plan to gift yourself? We have heard you're crazy about automobiles
Zain: I am crazy about automobiles. I would like to buy a Harley Davidson but then, my show has gone off air (Laughs out loud). Let's see I don't know, as yet.
Any message for your army of fans?
Zain: Thanks for the love and support. We loved the edits you guys made with so much effort. Fans are family. I salute you guys for the efforts you took for us.
Aditi: Whatever Naam is there of Naamkarann is just because of you guys! Fans gave us so much love without expecting anything in return.
Who is the next actor/actress you want to romance?
Aditi: I haven't thought of it. I am clueless (Laughs).
Zain: The actress from The Vampire Diaries, Nina Dobrev
We are sure that you guys will be missing the show a lot. We hope this interview brought some cheer. BollywoodLife wishes Zain a very happy birthday and the actors a successful career ahead!
Anupamaa
