Namit Khanna talks about Sanjivani, says Nakuul is like a brother

Sanjivani 2 is all set to air from August 12 on Star Plus. The show will see Surbhi Chandna and Namit Khanna in lead roles along with Mohnish Bahl and Gurdeep Kohli. Joining them on the show will be Sayantani Ghosh and Jason Tham. While a lot has already been anticipated of the show, in an exclusive chat with producer Siddharth P Malhotra, the producer opened up on if there will be references to Dr Armaan and Dr Riddhima, the iconic on-screen jodi, in the third installment.

Opening up on how the two main characters of the show are going to be, Siddharth sent a hint saying, "They are two different ends of the spectrum. Armaan and Ridhima were love-hate, Rahul and Juhi was love-hate and this is also love-hate." When asked if there will be references to Dr Armaan and Dr Riddhima on the show, the producer said, "Yes, there are references. Riddhima was Shashank's (Mohnish) daughter, but we won't disclose this (more info on reference) now."

On a parting note, the producer left us saying, "There is also a chance, we will see Armaan and Riddhima on the show." But, before you jump the gun, obviously if this happens, it will take a lot of time, right now, the makers will concentrate on establishing the new characters first.

Sanjivani 2 will be taking the 7:30 PM slot, replacing Dil Toh Happy Hai Ji. 

Credits :Pinkvilla

Namit Khanna will soon be seen playing the role of Dr Sid in the show Sanjivani 2. The show will see him opposite Surbhi Chandna, who was last seen in Ishqbaaaz. The show is currently one of the most anticipated ones and well, for all the right reasons. It is the third instalment to Sanjivani: The Medical Boom. In an exclusive interview with PINKVILLA, Namit revealed his reaction when he was offered Sanjivani, his experience shooting with an ensemble cast, his recent comment on dealing with Shivika fans and working with Surbhi. Excerpts from the interview:

Producer Siddharth P Malhotra had recently said he was always certain of you playing Sid on the show. What was your reaction when he approached you for Sanjivani 2?

This was in September 2018 when I was in Ladakh after completing my show, Sid sir couldn't get through and asked me to meet him when I return. After that, he auditioned me a couple of times and then said, 'we are on'. For me, when I heard of Sanjivani, of course, I remembered it but I didn't have exact memories of it. Firstly, I felt an instant connect with Sid sir. For me, it is very important to work with people I can relate to because it is a relationship that you share with them. Then I got to know about the character. I always want to play characters which are real. I know on Television it is very difficult to get real characters but when you do, you grab it and so I grabbed it. That is what it was for me. I was getting a lot of offers then but nothing struck a chord with me but when I heard about Sanjivani, I was sold from day 1. Of course, after that, there was a wait of 7-8 months which was a bit disheartening because I was like what is happening? Is it happening? But, then I knew on TV it takes time for a project to take off.

It is an ensemble cast including veteran actors like Mohnish Bahl and extremely talented ones like Gurdeep Kohli, Surbhi Chandna and others. How has the experience been so far? 

Of course, Mohnish Ji brings in the weight of his experience with him. I was sharing this with someone actually that for me, I see the relationship between him and me as that of father and son, though the dynamic is very different on the show. However, in my heart, I have already accepted the relationship to be that of father and son. It is a very comfortable relationship, I have even joked with him a couple of times and then I am like 'oh sh*t, yeh toh senior hai, maybe I shouldn't have said it' and then Mohnish sir made me comfortable. There is no intimidation. With Gurdeep Ji too, I admire here. She is so pretty and talented. It is a privilege to be surrounded by them. 

What about Shivika fans? We read your comment where you said, 'you will have to deal with Surbhi fans who want to see him with Nakuul only?'

There is nothing like that. Honestly, I am completely indifferent. I know Nakuul really well, in fact, he is the one I go to take advice from. He is like a brother.

Surbhi is a ball of energy on sets. Have you been exposed to that side of her?

I have been seeing it. Right now I am in my observant stage where I am learning and getting used to everyone. I am also like the least experience amongst all of them so I am taking it a little easy. Initially, I was a bit concerned about if I will be able to do it the right way. There was confusion between how Sid Sir had visioned my character and how it comes down to the creative level, then the director team and then how it came on sets. Later, Sid sir told me this is not how it is. We changed the 'sur' of the character initially while we were setting the character. Now, I feel much better and relaxed, of course. With Surbhi, I see her, the way she works and how she is, and it's cool. 

About the characters on screen?

Sid and Ishani are the same people as characters on the show who follow the path of Mohnish Bahl's character but there is a conflict in opinion. At the same time, I am senior to her, there are fun scenes because of that. Later, you will see the characters develop and set the tone.

Are you nervous?

To be honest, I am not. I am trying to not to take the pressure, I have already enough on my plate to get into the character, and develop and understand the different relationships with characters. It is a team effort after all. There are a lot of people working on it. If I take the pressure, I don't think I will be able to work. 

On a parting note, he said, "The name Sanjivani in itself is so gratifying. When the title track played on the sets, I could feel the warmth within. For me, it is a new show."

Credits :Pinkvilla