New show Rangrasiya goes on air on Colors from December 30. The lead pair Sanaya Irani & Ashish Sharma are aiming to become the next best couple on TV. In a candid interview with Sangeeta Yadav, they talk about their role & challenges ahead
About the show
Sanaya Irani (SI): I play Paro, a simple Rajasthani village girl, who is newly wedded and believes in love. On her way to her sasural, Armymen stop them and search their luggage. They find illegal weapons in the baggage which leads to an altercation between them and the baraatis. Army officer Rudra kills Paro’s husband and handcuffs her and takes her with him. The incident shatters her life. It’s a love-hate story. This role is very different from Chhachhan which I played in Chhachhan. Paro is an opposite of Rudra.
Ashish Sharma (AS): As Rudra, I don’t believe in love. He is very disciplined. My role is very intense, rebellious and out-of-the-box. It’s a very edgy love-story that starts with hate and has love, sadness, pain, guilt, bitterness, hope, aspiration and vengeance in it.
On preparations
SI: I have tried hard to get into the skin of the character. I used to be very stressed about doing justice to the role. Also, I learnt Rajasthani language and culture so that my character looked real.
AS: It was tough to shoot in the harsh cold weather of the Rann of Jaisalmer. We used to wake up early morning. luckily, I didn’t have to learn Rajasthani as I belong to the State. Rudra’s look is very rugged and stern, so I did a lot of workouts to look fit and get my body language right. I did combat and muscle training as well. I also visited Army boot camps to get the ambience of their life. I actually started thinking like Rudra and used to sit next to the window and look outside for hours.
On their TV journey
SI: I’m happy that Chhanchhan went off air. If this would have not gone off the air, I would never have got to do Rangrasiya. I believe everything happens for a reason and there is something better waiting for us. Khushi of Iss Pyar Ko Kya Naam Doon was the turning point in my career and gave me the platform that I needed.
AS: I started my TV journey in 2010 with Gunahon Ka Devta (Imagine TV). In 2011, I did a movie called love Sex Aur Dhoka and also bagged a TV historical Chandragupta Maurya. But it was Rab Se Sona Isshq in 2012 which brought me into the limelight.
Their future plans
SI: I love doing fiction shows. I’m also keeping my options open to work in movies after debuting in Fanaa (2006).
AS: I’m writing a few scripts at the moment. I would like to explore the world behind the camera too as a director.