TV actors are mere labourers, says Vikkas Manaktala

On-screen, they may play an estranged couple but off-screen, the lead pair, Vikkas Manaktala and Niti Taylor, of the telly show, Ghulaam, get along like a house on fire. In fact, the unit swears by their friendship, and believes they can look convincing as a sparring couple, thanks to their acting chops. In a candid conversation, the couple shares their journey as co-stars and more. Edited excerpts from the interview:

You two have become inseparable on the sets. Do you feel like long-lost twins?
Niti : Yes, we are like Tom and Jerry — we keep fighting and troubling each other.
Vikkas: I do think that I have found a long-lost friend in her. You just connect with some people — she is one of them.

You two are often caught teasing each other. Does it ever get to a point that you end up getting irritated with each other?
Niti: We know our intentions well. So, things never get out of control.
Vikkas: It’s impossible, because we never have to much time on hand. We are either busy preparing or getting ready for our scenes. We don’t have the luxury of having so much time. We TV actors are mere labourers. The only time we tease each other is when we get some time between shots.

Vikkas, do you mind it when she hits you?
Niti: I don’t think he minds it, but he doesn’t move an inch. He is a tough cookie.
Vikkas: She gets happy and irritated when she beats me because I never get hurt. It doesn’t affect me one bit, so I just keep laughing when I am getting beaten by her.

You guys seem to be a laugh-riot together. Your director must have a tough time controlling you two.
Niti: Actually, all the actors are always upto something else. In fact, the director always has to say, “Boys and girls, can we shoot now?” Plus, our director is always a part of our pranks and jokes.
Vikkas: Our director swears by our commitment towards our work. You should ask him. We don’t let our pranks disrupt our work. We are professional that way.

Vikkas, your off-screen friendship is being noticed by everyone. Does your wife, Gunjan Walia, get insecure about it?
Niti: Gunjan is a good friend. She is not at all insecure and I can vouch for it.
Vikkas: (Laughs) No, they are better friends to each other than Niti and me.

On-screen, you play a merciless husband to Niti. Given your equation with her, how do you manage to put off these scenes?
Vikkas: On the sets, I am Veer and she’s Shivani. So, we both approach our work as professionals. When I am performing, I have my complete focus on the role. I don’t think about anything else.
Niti: When the director says, “Action!” we become our characters. We keep the show above everything else.

Vikkas, the notorious character you play onscreen must have earned you a lot of haters by now…
Vikkas: Surprisingly, everyone loves Veer. In fact, I would say that it has earned me more fans than haters.

You two haven’t filmed any romantic scenes so far…
Niti: Yes, we still haven’t filmed any romantic scene, but I am sure whenever it happens, it will be awkward and funny, given our Tom and Jerry equation.
Vikkas: We haven’t filmed any romantic scene as of now, because I am a cruel husband that Shivani (played by Niti) is putting up with. Veer does get romantic with Shivani by called her Baby Doll, but she never responds to it.

Your chemistry looks pretty convincing despite the odds?
Niti: His chiselled face and my baby face creates the magic on-screen
Vikkas: I guess our contrasting characters compliment our pairing.

Is there a scene that’s your favourite?
Niti: When I was tied to the horse on the chair, Vikkas helped me a lot because I was scared. I would call this my favourite scene.
Vikkas: There was this scene we shot in Badli, Haryana where we were in our wedding attire, and there was a lot of drama. I think both of us performed well in that scene. It can easily be one of my favourite scenes.

Is there one thing you like and dislike about each other?
Niti: I like that he opens up to very few people and I am one of them. (smiles) He’s hardworking, and everyone loves him on the sets, since he troubles everyone. I don’t dislike anything about him. Regarding dislikes, he loves the make-up man and is always requesting for a touch-up. He also wants to do too many things at one time. I think he should take a step back and relax.
Vikkas: Niti is always bursting with energy on the sets of the show. In the last three months of knowing her, I haven’t found anything about her that I dislike.

Rapid Fire
Your favourite corner on the sets?
Niti: The swing.
Vikkas: The akkhada area.

Your favourite food on the sets?
Niti: Maggi.
Vikkas: I carry food on the sets.
 
Who is your stressbuster on sets?
Niti: I think I am everyone’s stressbuster (Laughs). I still haven't figured mine.
Vikkas: My music and actually the whole cast. I enjoy spending time with all of them.

Your wildest fantasy?
Niti: I don't have a wild fantasy.
Vikkas: Is too wild to be revealed.