'Beintehaa' stars Harshad Arora and Preetika Rao spill the beans

Mumbai: Harshad Arora and Preetika Rao, are the new heartthrobs on the Telly scene. These star-crossed loves from the popular Beintehaa, have the audience hooked on to their every move. Mumbai girl Preetika may seem a bit introverted but once she gets chatting, she talks nineteen to a dozen and this former journalist sure knows how to field questions. Delhi boy Harshad on the other hand admits to being on the quieter side in real life, while his onscreen character is the complete opposite. Here’s an exclusive chat with the duo.

What according to you makes Zain-Aaliya's chemistry a hit?

Preetika: I guess we are ‘destiny's on-screen pair’ because we were chosen by another production house to be paired opposite each other but that show got delayed and we both were co-incidentally chosen for Beintehaa. We don't have to try hard to bring out the chemistry. We just come together in one frame and people feel the magic.

Harshad: I guess it's the passion of love in our chemistry and the emotional bond, thanks to our directors.

How important is it to get along with co-stars off screen

P: It is important to get along not only with your co-star but also with your co-actors because it helps to create a healthy work atmosphere. If actors get-along with each other - work becomes easy. It is hard to work with actors who are nasty to you behind the scenes and I have gone through the grind too.

H: Very important, it makes a lot of difference on screen and in the relationship of the characters.

Things that make you happy?

P: Music, rain, cute looking babies and fun-loving people.

H: Good food and good sleep and of course a great on screen performance.

Things that annoy you?

P: Unfriendly people, jealousy, Liars and cheats and people who have constant bad breath and still don't get the point.

H: Nothing that I can think of right now.

Your favourite time of the year and why?

P: I think it's the rainy season .The city is cool, looks refreshingly green and lush and it also brings in my birthday. I only wish we had cleaner roads and less flies.

H: I love winters since I am from Delhi and I was born n brought up in that city. We have superb winters back home.

Some guilty indulgences?

P: Nope, nothing that I'm guilty about. I wear my conscience up my sleeve. No food or beverage or substance related guilt indulgences too I'm satvik.

H: I love eating sweets of all kinds Indians and foreign and lots of chocolates.

The places you love most abroad and why?

P: I love America because it us a very tourist-friendly country. Friendly people too and one place where you find men of every race walking on one street in a happy environment. It is also a traveller's paradise. I have been to the West coast and seen many cities in California and also been to the South to Arizona and to the east cost to New York and Dallas and Orlando.

H: I love Italy for of its beautiful architecture.

Something fans don’t know about you?

P: That I sing and that I’m single.

H: That I’m an introvert.

Who do you share your secrets with?

P: Family

H : My mom

A compliment from a fan that made you blush?

P: I have a lot of girls write to me that they have a 'girl crush' on me. They also call me Muslim Barbie doll. Blush blush...

H: When female fans say ‘Please marry me’.

The one time you felt proud of yourself?

P: I guess this series Beintehaa has given me an opportunity to connect with Indian and Pakistani people all over the world, children and college girls being my biggest fans. When I have Muslim girls from Pakistan, USA, Kenya, UK, Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland etc write to me that they consider me as their ' role-model' it is truly a proud feeling. I feel like the chosen one I feel blessed to receive all this love from all over the world.

H: It was when I received my first award.

Most memorable/ toughest scenes from Beintehaa?

P: There have been many tough scenes but most memorable have been the one where we shot with a live snake at filmcity where Zain (Harshad) and I jump on top of a car bonnet. Again rain scenes are tough to shoot. The memorable ones are the ones for which I got a big applaud from the shooting team during performance which were - the breakdown at the graveyard, the breakdown in the hotel room after the 3rd talaak and also when my character Aaliya rebels against the Shariyat law at the masjid in front of the holy priest.

H: There have been quite a few but I guess my first drunken scene was the toughest. Another favourite is the Zain –Aaliya re union after riots in Bhopal as it showed the struggle and pain Zain goes through to get back Aaliya.

Fans love your outfits in Beintehaa…

P: Yes, I had created the look for Aaliya. I had emailed Prashant Bhatt from Colors some Anarkali suit referances with Kashmiri embroidery work. Also I wanted curly locks to complete the look and Prashant loved it. This time too I suggested that post the one year leap Aaliya should have a Chinese color salwar kameez look. And fortunately people are loving it.

H: In real life too my dressing style is quite similar to Zain as I also wear jeans , t shirts and jackets along with office formals, so I can carry that look off well.

Rapid fire -What do you associate the following words with?

1) White : Preetika - Beautiful walls, Harshad –My car

2) Black : P- Shirt on a hot looking guy! H: My leather jacket

3) Beaches : P- Goa H - Bondi

4) Mountains : P-Himalayas H - Everest and snow

5)Fans : P - unconditional love H – Lots of love

6) Ice-cream : P- Natural ones with real figs H – Sweet

7) Hearts : P -Heart shaped pendants , H- Purity