Sharad is my strength, motivator and companion: Divyanka Tripathi

Divyanka Tripathi who rose to prominence on television with the serial Banoo Main Teri Dulhan has come a long way since then. “I was working with Doordarshan in Bhopal and then a producer spotted me and approached me for BMTD — it was destiny.

It is what brought me to Mumbai and I have been addicted to this city and acting since then. Dulhan was my first big break as well as the turning point of my career,” says Divyanka who now plays Ishita Iyer in Ye Hai Mohabbatein.

How does she enjoy essaying this new character? “I really like playing Ishita and can relate to her — she’s intelligent, educated and down-to-earth. But I don’t fight as much as she does,” adds Divyanka.

Although she plays a timid girl-next-door on screen, Divyanka isn’t quite like that in real life. “In fact, I used to be a tomboy,” she tells us. “I am very adventurous and I love horse riding, mountaineering and trekking. I recently went to Uttarkashi for a 16-day mountaineering course. ” she says.

When she’s not indulging in outdoor activities and adventure sports, Divyanka likes to watch films, sing or shop for bags. “I have around 80 hand bags and purses. There’s an entire wardrobe in my house just for my bags,” she says.

Divyanka is dating television actor and former co-star Sharad Malhotra. About her partner she says, “Sharad is my strength, he’s my motivator and my companion during good times and bad. He’s an optimist and a family person. I adore that about him.”