The lead pair of mythological fantasy show, Nagarjun — Ek Yoddha, Anshuman Malhotra and Pooja Bannerjee — has often been hailed as television’s ‘cutest couple’. And looking at their simmering chemistry, the title doesn’t seem to be misplaced. Whether there is a love story in the making on the sets of Nagarjun, only time will tell. But for the time being, the duo tells us what makes them such a hit on TV.
How did you guys break the ice?
Pooja: When I first met him on the set, he was late and that pissed me off as I was already in a bad mood. But later when I realised he is my age, I just got the feeling that we’ll hit it off and we actually did.
Anshuman: As she said, I was late and I was really scared to see her pissed. I apologised to her for being late and within 10 minutes of meeting each other, we bonded like we were childhood friends. She is an amazing person to be around.
Given the close friendship you share, do romantic scenes tend to get a little awkward?
Pooja: Our close friendship actually helps in keeping awkwardness at bay.
Anshuman: It wasn’t awkward at all. In fact, we end up having a good laugh in between our scenes, as saying all those lines to someone with whom you are good friends is funny.
What makes your on-screen chemistry work?
Pooja: The fact that we are great friends off-screen and share a good rapport with each other.
Anshuman: We are both decent actors besides being good friends. We both know how each of us will react and we do a lot of readings together. That could be the secret behind our chemistry.
Who is a better co-star among the two of you?
Pooja: I think that’s him. I am not a method actor. I don’t rehearse lines. Anshuman is also a very kind-hearted person. He has a beautiful soul. He is very respectful towards everyone — be it actors or the crew.
Anshuman: We are both equally hardworking.
How many times have you burst out laughing while filming a scene?
Pooja: I think we end up laughing in every scene because we have so much fun together.
Anshuman: It’s not just Pooja and I. Luckily, everyone on the sets is very chilled out. I remember this one time when Nawab sir and I laughed for half an hour straight for some stupid reason.
Who takes more retakes?
Pooja: I think we both used to initially. It was more so for me because I took time to understand my character and act accordingly, but now we both have stopped taking retakes.
Anshuman: I think it’s me because I try to give several takes and then leave it up to them to choose the best one.
Is there any particular scene that has made its way into your hearts?
Pooja: My character, Noorie, is as talkative as I am in real life. So this one time, while doing a scene with Arjun in the garage, I added many lines of my own and luckily my director let me continue because he felt the lines connected to Noorie. So, the scene became my absolute favourite as it was straight from the heart.
Anshuman: My favourite scenes are all the scenes with Pooja and my on-screen mom (Shruti Ulfat). I have become very close to both of them.
Any scene that’s made you go ‘I wish I had done it better’?
Pooja: There have been quite a few of those. The emotional scenes with my father for instance. I think I could have done those better.
Anshuman: I think I could have done all my scenes better.
One thing you like about each other and one thing you dislike?
Pooja: I like the fact that he is always in a good mood. And what I dislike about him is that he always gets stressed and starts over thinking.
Anshuman: She is a very sweet and jolly person. I like that about her. As of now there is nothing I dislike about her.
Is there any interesting fan comment on your jodi that’s caught your eye?
Pooja: Recently, someone asked me when our reel life jodi would turn real. I was like, ‘don’t you guys know he has a girlfriend?’
Anshuman: I’ve got lots of compliments about our chemistry and I find it very cute that fans combine our name and make it one. It makes you feel connected with your fans.
Who is the crazier among the two of you?
Pooja: Me, without a doubt (laughs)
Anshuman: Obviously, the one and only Pooja Bannerjee.
Who is the jagga jasoos of the set who gets all the gossip amongst the two of you?
Pooja: We aren’t the type that’s interested in other people’s lives. So mostly, we talk about our own lives.
Anshuman: I think everyone is a jagga jasoos on our sets.+
Rapid fire
Your favourite food on the set?
Pooja: I don’t eat on the set. But I sometimes carry smoothies for everyone.
Anshuman: Mutton Biriyani.
Your 2 am buddy on the set?
Pooja: Anshuman.
Anshuman: Pooja.
Things you cannot do without on the set:
Pooja: My phone and my pillow.
Anshuman: My coffee and chocolate biscuits
Your stress-buster on the set:
Pooja: Anshuman and my director to some extent.
Anshuman: My director
Your wildest fantasy:
Pooja: I want to sit on a dolphin and swim.
Anshuman: I want to be in the wild, around mountains and trees, and trek and explore the world.
