Winsome twosome

How did the lead roles in ‘Saarthi’ come your way?
Karan (Arjun): This is my first soap. Neha, who is also a good friend, suggested that I approach the ‘Saarthi’ makers for the male lead. I met the casting director Gayatri Singh. Those days I was sporting long hair and a beard. But she turned me back saying that I should first get a haircut and a clean shave before I could be considered. I did that and got selected to play Arjun.

Neha (Bhoomika): I had already worked in ‘Shhh Koi Hai’. But while I played the tomboy Bijli in that, here I play the typical Indian housewife.

Is monotony setting in, ‘Saarthi’ being a daily soap?
Karan: Not really! My character has shades of emotion, humour and even action.
Neha: Monotony would definitely have set in if I had continued playing Bhoomika, the maid. But my character has progressed and now Bhoomika is the bahu, devrani and lover. So there is no way that it can get monotonous.

Can you share a moment that left you embarrassed?
Karan:We were shooting an intimate scene for ‘Saarthi’.  I had to lie in bed for quite some time as there were many retakes and I fell asleep!
Neha:I once went to a coffee shop and realized that I was not carrying money. I told the counter boy that I needed to go to the nearby ATM to withdraw cash. But he said, ‘It’s our pleasure to serve you. My father is a great fan of yours.’