A tete-à-tete with Ashna: Ashish Sharma and Archana Taide

Individually, they’re known as successful actors on the small screen. Together, they’re a much-in-love couple who are dedicated business partners as well. Meet Ashish Sharma and Archana Taide, among the real life power couples in the television industry today. And if you thought they were a good-looking pair then wait till you get a sample of their compatibility!

So tell us, how did you meet? Was it love at first sight?
Ashish: We met in Baroda at Sagar Studio… I used to shoot for Chandragupta Maurya there and she used to come for Shanidev’s shoots. We met through a common director friend, Gautam Nagrath. For me, it was love at first sight.
Archana: Yes, it was in Baroda, right in the middle of a jungle! Both of us were shooting for our respective shows, and our mutual friend, a director, introduced us. It wasn’t love at first sight in my case, although in Ashish’s, it was.

What’s a quality you admire in your partner, and what’s the one thing you’d like to change?
Ashish: I love that she’s absolutely honest… but sometimes, that can be tough to take.
Archana: The quality that I admire the most in Ashish is how he’s so encouraging and helpful as a partner. My goals are his goals, he will always help me grow both professionally and personally.

How do you react to the attention he/she gets from flirtatious fans?
Ashish: I love it! I feel proud: Itne logon ki fantasy, and she’s mine for ever.
Archana: I don’t feel jealous at all. In fact, I feel proud that the world desires him and he is mine forever.

What’s a memorable compliment you’ve received as a couple, from fans?
Archana: All our fans have loved us unconditionally, indeed we feel blessed. I feel very happy when, seeing us as a couple, our fans say that they believe in true love. Our fans call us “Ashna” — that’s Ashish+Archana — and that’s what we’ve named our new house too.

Who proposed to whom?
Ashish: I did! And then she ran away and for the whole period of our courtship, I was practically chasing her.
Archana: Ashish popped the question — and he never asked if we should date, he directly proposed marriage. We were in long-distance relationship during our courtship.

Tell us about one memory that really stood out from your wedding ceremony.
Ashish: I was seated on the mare, dancing. When I entered the venue I could see Archana from across the hall and she seemed scared. I believe my happiness and excitement kind of soothed her a bit.
Archana: I wanted to run away from the wedding because I was very nervous! But when I saw Ashish dancing, sitting on the ghodi, I don’t know why… I just felt relieved and happy. Suddenly everything was fine. The thought that came to me was: “He is the right man for me, he will love me for ever”. And so he does.

What for you, is the favourite scene he/she has performed?
Ashish: It’s the one in Qubool Hai, in which she cries in the shower… it was very well executed and performed by Archana.
Archana: I love all his scenes from Chandragupta Maurya. He’s had so many bare-chested shots and I found them very hot!

What’s a memorable surprise he/she planned for you?
Ashish: Archana is an absolute master in planning surprises! The birthday party (she organised) on the Jhalak sets was the best as I really needed a breather from the hectic schedule and she knew just what to do.
Archana: When I had signed a new show, Ashish had prepared a candlelit dinner for me, and after we shared two glasses of wine, he proposed. He felt our professional lives were sorted — why not sort our personal one too?

Tell us how you keep the romantic spark alive?
Ashish: Keep the friendship alive, keep trying new things.
Archana: Keep your partner happy. If you don’t want to cheat on your partner or if you expect your partner to not cheat on you, then it’s very necessary that you work to keep the romance alive.

Ashish, what’s one thing fans don’t know about Archana? And Archana, tell us something not known about Ashish.
Ashish: Archana is a dream machine! She gets 3-4 dreams every night and remembers all of them.
Archana: Ashish is very lazy! And he may be talkative, but only in the company of close friends.

Rapid fire round

What do you associate with the following words?

love
ashish: Selfless
Archana: Ashish

surprises
ashish: Sweet
Archana: Have only been surprised once in my life!

television
ashish: Needs innovation
Archana: Entertainment

favourite accessories
ashish: Hats, sunglasses, shoes!
Archana: None

marriage
ashish: Not everyone’s cup of tea
Archana: For ever

family
ashish: Essential
Archana: Always comes first

date
ashish: Going on one tonight with wifey!
Archana: Moments that stay with you for ever

happiness
ashish: An illusion
Archana: One’s own responsibility

PETS
ashish: Completely selfless
Archana: My babies Carbon Scotch and Toofan