NIGHTOUT with Apurva Agnihotri

NIGHTOUT with Apurva Agnihotri


Just say 'Yes Sir'

Apurva Agnihotri, aka Armaan Sir, feels Jassi should be alone. All
her life

Harneet Singh

Mumbai, January 11: BET you didn't know that Armaan Sir's special
name for Jassi is Jasberry. And that she affectionately calls him
Apu Singh.

On-screen in Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin, Armaan (ne Apurva Agnihotri)
might come across as a cad who breaks Jassi's heart every day. But
in real life, they're good friends. ''Every time we do a scene
together, something magical happens. If I had my way, I would work
with her for the rest of my life,'' grins Agnihotri.



And a text message forwarded by the show's co-director Diya Singh
only reaffirms the couple's chemistry. ''Mona (Jassi) and Apurva are
the Kajol and Shah Rukh of the small screen,'' conveys Singh.
Agnihotri vows never to delete the message.

Mocha, Juhu, where we're chatting, is inundated with shouts
of 'Armaan sir'. A gaggle of girls hound the actor for pictures and
autographs. ''Do you really love Jassi?'' 19-year-old Ashima wants
to know. While collegians Shruti and Mehak declare, ''You have the
best smile on TV.'' Agnihotri smiles some more, flashing the deep
dimple in his left cheek.

Jassi... has given the 28-year-old actor a fresh lease after his
Bollywood career didn't work despite a dream launch in Subhash
Ghai's Pardes. Now he can't live without Jassi. ''I've lost count
how many times I say 'Jassi' in a day. All my lines begin and end
with 'Jassi' and since we do about 10-12 scenes in a day, you can
just imagine,'' he says, biting into a paneer panini.

Though he loves his Casanova character, he swears he's just the
opposite in reality. Contrary to Armaan's indecisive nature,
Agnihotri married actress Shilpa Saklani (Ganga of Kyunki Saas Bhi
Kabhi Bahu Thi) three months after co-star Rakshanda Khan introduced
them. While it was love at first sight for him, Shilpa took time to
be convinced. ''My screen image came in the way,'' he says.

His wife loves the serial, especially the scenes between Agnihotri
and Parmeet Sethi. Both actors are so attuned to each other's
timing, it almost seems like gay bonding. Agnihotri gives a bark of
laughter. ''I know what you mean. I love Parmeet. He can chew up
anybody in comedy.''

Of course, he can't say the same about his other co-star Samir Soni
who apparently left the serial because of ego clashes with
Agnihotri. ''No way,'' denies Agnihotri. ''I really like Samir. He
left for personal reasons,'' he shrugs, sipping a sugar-free black
cuppa.

His contract ends in June, after which he hopes to sign some more
serials or maybe films, ''if I get something substantial.'' For now,
he hopes to see Jassi's much awaited makeover. ''I'm dying to see
her coming down a staircase looking like a model,'' he says.

Who does he think Jassi should end up with—Purab, Armaan or
Nandu? ''Jassi should be alone. That's what happens to people who
have such high standards and who are hell-bent on sticking to their
principles.'' Now that's typical Armaan Sir.

Time table
Sexiest babe on TV: My wife Shilpa Saklani
Mona or Rakshanda: Rakshanda, because she changed my life after
introducing me to Shilpa
Best actor on TV: Parmeet Sethi
Can't imagine TV without: My hair gel which I apply quite liberally
to keep my floppy hair in order
One serial you wish you were a part of: None, because after Jassi..,
others are routine fare