Anuja always keeps the mood light offscreen, says Manish Wadhwa

The chemistry between Peshwa Bajirao lead couple Anuja Sathe and Manish Wadhwa is not going unnoticed, even as the new series kickstarted on TV amidst much fanfare. The credit, however, goes to Manish for reaching out to Anuja, who is a little reserved by admission. Clearly, Manish’s efforts seem to have worked. In a freewheeling conversation, the couple tell us know about what already makes them a hit on the small screen. Edited excerpts:

The mock shoot served as a perfect setting for you guys to get to know each other…
Manish: We met for the first time then and got along famously ever since.
Anuja: The mock shoot definitely helped us getting to know each other. After that, everything worked out perfectly and the experience has been great.

How do you manage to spout those long monologues at one go? Does your experience in the television industry come in handy?
Manish: My favourite job is acting — that’s the only thing I know. I am still learning. If you ask me, memorising heavy lines is not that tough. Muttering long lines comes easily to me, actually. Besides, this means you can improvise on a scene without losing out on the essence.
Anuja: I think it’s a matter of habit that has made delivering these monologues easy. You just need to focus, and you are ready to roll.

Manish is the more talkative person between the two of you…
Manish: I think it is the other way round. Anuja talks while I mostly listen.
Anuja: We both talk and listen to our director Vaibhav. He is the most talkative person on the sets.

Who is a bigger prankster on the sets — you or him?
Manish: I keep joking and pulling her leg on the sets but I don’t know if that can be termed as a prank.
Anuja: Nothing worth mentioning so far.

How do you two pull off romantic scenes with each other?
Manish: We have a sweet romance going on between Radhabai and Balaji (the characters in the show). When the cameras roll, you become the character and do your scenes.
Anuja: We are extremely professional, and according to me, you don’t need to share an equation with an actor to perform romantic scenes. You just need to know how to act!

You two are friends off screen as well. Does your Maharashtrian connect have anything to do with it?
Manish: We are very comfortable with each other. Though it helps that our common cultural backgrounds gives us a lot more to talk about.
Anuja: We are getting to be good friends. It did help that we share a common language — it definitely helped us break the ice, but I think we are friends largely because we are extremely comfortable with each other. He is very easy to get along with.

Audiences seem to be impressed with your chemistry. How happy are you with the response?
Manish: Our dedication and love for work makes our chemistry believable. A lot of people on the sets have come up to say that we look natural on-screen. Their words are reassuring. The response has been good. We are glad our efforts are paying off.
Anuja: We both are extremely professional actors and that’s what makes us create chemistry on-screen. I have only been hearing good things about us — this encourages us to perform better.

Do seasoned performers like you two end up taking retakes?
Manish: Sometimes our director insists we do a retake, and at times, when I forget my lines we go for a retake.
Anuja: There is always scope for improvement. So yes, we do opt for retakes as well.

Who is a better co-star — you or him?
Manish: Of course, Anuja. She is a wonderful actor.
Anuja: I think Manish is a better co-star.

Please tell us one quality that you admire about each other?
Manish: She’s a thorough professional. She always tries to keep the mood light off the sets.
Anuja: Manish is extremely sincere and serious about his work.

Rapid Fire
Your favourite corner on the sets:
Manish: Near the director.
Anuja: Any corner with a mobile network.

Your favourite food on the sets:
Manish: Egg white omelette.
Anuja: Egg omelette and adrakwali chai.

Things you cannot do without on the sets:
Manish: My director!
Anuja: My makeup pouch.

Your favourite line on the sets:
Manish: “You Indian, behave like an Indian. Soon I’ll be working for Hollywood.” (Laughs)
Anuja: Humse-tumse na ho payi.

Your stress buster on the sets:
Manish: The kids on the show.
Anuja: The director Vaibhav Mutha, and the kids.

Your dream date
Manish: Meryl Streep.
Anuja: Spending an amazing time with my husband and friends on a beach.

Your first crush
Manish: My classmate.
Anuja: Shah Rukh Khan.