Digangana Suryavanshi and Vishal Vashishtha have won the audience over with their chemistry as Veera and Baldev in the popular soap ‘Veera’. Here they share some of their trade secrets.
What makes Veera-Baldev’s chemistry a hit?
Vishal: All relationships need to start off with fights. Early in the show we shared lot of enmity and gradually the relationship had fights etc and then we started doing things to annoy / irritate each other. I believe a good relationship must have fights and then only it becomes strong and a hit.
Digangana: Also, I think it’s the love and affection Veera-Baldev have for each other. The couple is not too mushy and what makes their relationship tick is how much they care in their own diff style. The contradiction in love, nok jhok n the conversations are different. Their chemistry is sweet and spicy.
What kind of rapport do you share with each other off-screen?
V: We share a very good rapport off screen. It’s very intellectual conversation most of the times; since she is a writer we share a lot of experiences together. Sometimes I wonder how a 17 year old girl like her knows so much, thinks and speaks so much ahead of her time. At times 2 hours are spent have conversations and we don’t even realize it.
D: We are very good friends. I call him motu, he calls me moti. (laughs) We hang out together. We have different rooms, but in the break we are always chilling together.
Most memorable romantic scenes from the show and why?
V: There are couple of memorable romantic scenes. Whenever I push Veera (Digangana) against the wall and go very close towards her and very slowly say the romantic dialogues very subtly and in a flow, such scenes are the most memorable ones. Even Digangana likes such scenes.
D: I think it was in Poland, during the Chopin festival when we were dancing together. Veera – Baldev came close together, and it was awkward. I believe love scenes are not just about kissing or hugging. There can be a little awkwardness, shyness. The scene was at was the end of dance.
Some thing that makes you happy?
V: Two things make me very happy. Firstly 5 am or early morning shifts and early pack up at work and secondly good food makes me very happy. I am a foodie and north Indian food makes me happy. Especially the paneer dishes, dal tadka etc. which I can’t have daily due to physical commitments at work; since I am supposed to be fit.
D: My work makes me happy. If am low, good work cheers me up.
Some things that annoy you?
V: Whenever I take a 5 to 10 minute power nap in my room on the ‘Veera’ sets or I am about to take it and the production boy comes and wakes me up saying shot is ready, this really annoys me. I need my power nap and if I don’t get it my mood goes for a toss.
D: I hate it when you have unnecessarily negativity, things go haywire. I hate fake people.
Your favourite time of the year and why?
V: December as it is winter.
D: October for me, as it brings my birthday!
Some guilty indulgences?
V: When I have to lie to my friends owing to the professional commitments. It feels bad that due to work commitments I have to lie to them. Also when in indulge a lot in eating ice cream. Whenever there is free time between shots / work we visit Baskin and Robbins and eat ice cream.
D : I've never been guilty yet and I don't want to be.
A compliment from a fan that made you blush?
V : One fan used to tweet to me very often or all most daily. The tweets used to contain all admiration and praises for me. But one day the same particular fan tweeted saying, “You are the SRK of TV” reading that particular tweet made me blush and I felt very nice. Till date it makes me feel good and I blush whenever I read it.
D: I think every time they complement me, I blush. They started to call me, dream girl.
Qualities you look for in your partner?
V: In the kind of industry I am currently working in I would require my partner to understand me especially the work culture. Since we work at odd hours, wrong days and have high work commitments a very understanding partner would help and obviously trusting each other is most important quality.
D: I want him to be honest, about everything, be it his past or present. He should not be afraid of truth. I want a guy who does not eat non-veg, or smoke or drink.
Some things fans don’t know about you?
V: It is my dream / fantasy to open a big restaurant in Mumbai and also I would love to continue my martial arts training and incorporate martial arts in my professional career.
D: I am a very emotional person. I don't use glycerine. It is difficult, shooting for 12 hours, emotional scenes, do retakes. It’s difficult, I have depth and sensibility which keeps me grounded, maturity, I love my family. I am a simple person in real life, not a party person, hate alcohol. I never had a boyfriend.
How different or similar to your onscreen character is your dressing style in real life?
V: Initially I used to wear checked shirts in the show and not much in my real life; but now I started liking & wearing them in my real life also and thus went ahead and purchased some check shirts for myself. Now they are part of my real and reel wardrobe.
D: The styling is very different. I personally like one piece. I am mostly into western clothes, than Veera. However some similarity is that I wear jackets, jeans and shrugs like Veera. I don't wear artificial jewellery. I like something unique, unlike Veera.
The places you love most (in India and Abroad) and why?
V: I want to visit Leh-Ladakh. But my best trip recently was to Vaishno Devi along with visiting Manali and Delhi. I also want to visit South India and outskirts of Chandigarh fascinate me a lot. Also aboard Greece is my dream destination I want to visit.
D: J&K, one of my favourites. I want to go to Los Angeles.
The one time you felt proud/ happy with yourself?
V: Actually there are couple of times when I am proud / happy with myself. When the power to do things right and then being focused and then delivering right at work makes me feel proud. Besides this when my director appreciates my work. When people around recognize me and my hard work. Also when my dad counts on me and appreciates my work I feel proud and happy…it feels like people understand me.
D: I think recent one, during SPA we had a skating act, Veerji practiced in India, we didn't rehearse together, and I did it in Poland. I was practicing in Poland, gardens and streets. However I managed the act, hardly rehearsed, for one hour a day and did it perfectly.
Favourite memories from your childhood?
V: I have lot of good memories from my school days / years. Especially the years between my 9th and 12th standard were very good and a memorable part of my life. 9th & 10th we studied since my parents wanted us to focus on studies and 11th & 12th were taken for granted and I had a lot of fun and have some awesome memories from those years.
D: Every single memory, every time I fell down and got up, has been special.
Who are you closest to in your family? (With whom you share your secrets)
V: I am very close to my family. I have a very strong bond which I share with them. Since we are a nuclear family i.e. only 4 members we share everything with each other. My parents share every little thing with us and I am very close to my elder sister. She is 3 years older to me and I share everything with her. I trust her a lot and she knows everything about me.
D: It has to be my maternal grand mom. She means everything to me. Then it has to be my parents.
Rapid fire -What do you associate the following words with :
· Blue – V: Favorite Color D: Water
· Yellow – V: Flowers D: Sunshine
· Red - V: Lipstick D: Love
· Dreams – V: The Final factor D: Making them come true
· Fans – V: Support D: Special
· Ice-cream – V: Temptation D: Gelato
· Shoot – V:Dedication D: hectic, tiring but wonderful
· Hearts- V: Deepakshi my girlfriend D: romance
· Shopping- V: Once in a while D: I have not done in 3 months
· Romance – V: Depends on the mood D: - With my lover, that I haven't found yet.
