‘Our friendship is misunderstood’

Narayani Shastri opens up on life after her break-up with actor Gaurav Chopra

I live by my own rules…

I live on my own terms. Long back when I was working in Kyunki..., I remember one of my co-actors, whom I wouldn’t like to name, telling me not to smoke and drink in public. This came as a real shock to me because I cannot understand why people like to take their work image at home. After my work hours, I do what my family and friends want me to do.

People misunderstand Gaurav and me…
When I was dating him three years ago, people didn’t believe me. And now that we have broken off and are friends, people don’t understand our equation. So, I have let that be. We have been cast as adversaries in Ghar ki… because the channel wanted to raise the TRPs. It’s a healthy working relationship between us and absolutely no awkwardness because we still remain the best of friends.

Mr Right doesn’t exist…
I am single and not ready to mingle because I am simply not in the mood for it right now. There isn’t any set criterion for Mr Right who, I feel, doesn’t exist.

I am not interested in long running soaps…
The reason why I took up the cameo in Ghar Ki Laxmi Betiyaan was the fact that it was not a regular long running role. I dread doing the 9 to 9 shift today because you are left with no time for yourself. That’s the reason I was away for a good three years. Honestly, television has become monotonous, replete with illogical sequences and unreasonable dialogues. Every show starts off well but after 15 episodes, it’s back to the clichéd stuff. I have started dreading such shows.

Reality shows are a blessing…
I like them because they are of short durations and offer great money. You have your fun doing it and leave them. After Nach Baliye, I didn’t want to do a reality show. Gaurav and I gave the show our best but I felt, we had had enough of it. I liked Say Shava Shava and discovered that I loved singing. It was a good show because the judges (Simi Garewal and Karan Johar) were classy and well-mannered. They know how to respect the contestants.