Lover’s fest

Anything you don’t like about him?

PC: His way of showing that he is comfortable with a person by teasing and playing pranks.

Aditya: Like a small child!

PC: Yeah, he jokes around with people he is comfortable with, but at the same time is very understanding. If I was ever feeling low and tired, he would be very comforting. I realised he’s not your typical actor.

And Aditya, what was your impression of Parineeti?

ARK: I had watched parts of her films, because I am not a Hindi film buff and I had not formed any opinions about her. But I was very impressed by the way her life changed from a person working in a film company to becoming an actress to reckon with. Suddenly, she got this adulation and I could see that she was handling it very well. And I could see why people were reacting so strongly to her uninhibited performances. It was an outpouring of her normalcy on screen. When I met her I found her full of life, with a wonderful sense of humour and the way she approached her work was lovely.

So what was the first day of shoot like?

ARK: I was not there on the first day of shoot. She had a scene with Mr Anupam Kher, who plays her father in the film.

PC: Our first day of working together was before the shoot, when we did a lot of readings for the film, to get the urbaneness out of him and for me to become a little more Hyderabadi. The first day of working together was not difficult because by then we were friendly and knew each other.

ARK: I remember, we were shooting one of the last scenes at the railway station. It was something dramatic and serious where we had to look at each other and there was something mysterious happening between us. We both looked at each other and started laughing. It was just the second or third day of shoot.

PC: It was also because every time we were together, it was very casual where we were generally talking and laughing and then suddenly we had to act together. We found it so funny. I said, ‘Aditya we have to get this shot right’ but he just couldn’t stop laughing. Thankfully, we had to do it with seriousness on another day, but I think it was not a great moment of ‘acting’ from us.

ARK: Definitely not!

Since the movie is about falling in love over food, who is the bigger foodie between the two of you?

ARK: Both of us are big foodies! And we would eat more just to prove to each other who was a bigger foodie.

PC: And see who the winner was.

Are your choices in food the same?

ARK: Pizza is our favourite food.

PC: Actually it’s very rare. I have never heard any other human being having a random food like pizza as a number one food. I used to feel very novel about it. Even otherwise, sometimes we used to crave the same things, like ordering the same dal and roti.

ARK: But actually any food is good for us.

PC: Anything edible!

ARK: Ya!

In the film, he is from Lucknow and Parineeti you are from Hyderabad.. so which cuisine: Hyderabadi or Lucknowi did you like best?

Both: Very hard to choose!

PC: But yes, I like the Hyderabadi biryani better, I like the nal nihari and kebabs from Lucknow better.

In Daawwt-e-Ishq you fall in love over food. Is that possible in real life?

PC: Oh 100 per cent! In fact, I would like it to happen like that.

ARK: I would say it can happen over food, but not just because of food. I remember this girl asked me that if a girl came to me with a nice dish and proposed to me would I say yes? I said it’s a great strategy, but I can’t say yes just because she has cooked something nice. The person also has to be good na?

PC: Yes, but it can be one of the things that can evoke love, because I feel if you can travel with a person and eat with a person comfortably, it speaks volumes about your relationship and shows a great bond. And also I would not like the person with me commenting on the way I eat at all. I really enjoy eating. For me food would be a great catalyst for falling in love, but it would not seal the deal. It’s not going to be the only reason of saying yes.

Who between the two of you is a good cook and did anyone cook on the sets?

PC: He cooks. But he didn’t cook on the sets, or we wouldn’t be alive today!

ARK: Anyway, on the set we just ate and ate!

PC: We are not the kind to stand and cook in the kitchen. Aditya wants to learn to cook one day, and maybe after 20 years, I will learn to cook. But, certainly not now.

Tell us who was Habib Faisal’s (director of Dawaat-e-Ishq) favourite on the sets?

ARK: Obviously Pari, because he has made two films with her!

PC: That’s saying something. (peals of laughter)

ARK: You can see that they have a wonderful understanding. He comes on the sets and says hmm and she says hmm and knows exactly what he wants.

Otherwise, how would you describe him as a director?

ARK: He has this quality of never settling for mediocrity or sub-standard work. And that’s a wonderful thing for actors as it makes them feel safe and protected. He’s not going to pass a take just because there’s no time or something like that. He’s gonna wait and get the best out of the actors. He’s very clear about what he wants, because he’s a writer- director and 99 per cent his instinct is always right.

PC: Yes, I would say the same.

What was the most memorable part of the shoot?

ARK: I think we had a good time shooting Daawat-e-Ishq. We got to chill and all that, but the golden days were the ones where there was Anupam sir, her and me together on the sets.

PC: Yes, yes, and if you ask me what I took away from the film it would be Anupam sir and Aditya’s existence in my life. I would never have met them if it would not have been for the film. We bonded at such a level that till today I enjoy going out and eating with them or travelling with them. If both Aditya and I are going for some promotions, we always think of him. We genuinely like each others company. I remember riding the scooter with Anupam sir behind me at times in heavy traffic in Hyderabad. The only thought on my mind was that I should not kill him.

ARK: For me there was this sequence where I am in front of my restaurant and had to shoot a long scene in one shot. It was tough keeping the background in mind, know my lines, focus on being in frame etc.

What did you learn from Anupam Kher?

ARK: The way he approaches his work and life is very inspiring.
He’s a very, very positive person. Anytime you ask him how he is, and his answer is always the same —fantastic. And that positivity rubs off. And if any us showed any sign of being down, he would say ‘don’t you dare because no one in the theatre is going to know that you had a bad morning’.

PC: Yes, he’s a lovely person.

Aditya, what did you think of Parineeti in Hasee Toh Phasee? And do you think she should stick to playing vivacious characters?

ARK: Oh, it was fun. I really loved her and Sid’s (Sidharth Malhotra) performance. I think she is in the mood to experiment and play different kind of roles. It’s also my intent as an actor to challenge and stretch myself. Her boundaries are endless and when someone has the kind of talent she has, she should utilise herself to her full potential.

PC: And I loved Aashiqui 2. I swear, more than him and Shraddha (Kapoor), I loved the film in totality. Some of the moments in the film are magical for me and even if it airs on television today, I sit down to watch it. And whatever he is today is because of Aashiqui 2. I feel no one could have played the role better and it really brought out a lot of things about his personality on screen. He should do a lot of films like that, they will enhance the person he is.

Music is a common interest you both share. Any singing on the sets.

ARK: Yes, of course, we bonded over music. She has this tendency to suddenly break into a song.

PC: I like singing and he’s got a very good ear for music and plays the guitar so well, so it was very cool. Also if a person doesn’t stop me from singing, for me he is great.

ARK: You can leave the room if you want, but don’t stop her from singing!

PC: But he left the room on many days. In fact, he left the set!

What are your expectations from Daawat-e-Ishq?

PC: I hope that people accept it in the way we have made it. It’s a sweet, feel-good film and one can expect two hours of happiness, and positivity. I hope people enjoy it.

ARK: I guess it’s the same. The intention is to entertain and I think we have achieved that. The message (dowry menace) is very important, but it is put across in a very light-hearted way. It’s not in-your-face. And Habib has extracted some good performances from us.

What about your upcoming films?

PC: I have Kill Dil, but I cannot reveal much about it because the producers have not given me the green signal. It’s a cool, fun film. I am trying something new and want to see if the risk pays off. I loved doing it and hope you guys love it as well.

ARK: My next is Fitoor and we should start shooting in October. I am very excited about it.
geety.sahgal@expressindia.com