Mayank Anand As A Anchor

Anchor vs Actor
Anchoring is a different ball game. I had thought that it was piece of cake but it isn’t. As an actor you balance the act with your co-actors. But as an anchor, it’s a solo take. However, it’s exciting to carry the show on your shoulders.

‘Cine Song’
It’s a one-hour show that covers a three-hour film. All the favourite scenes, songs and trivia surrounding the film are presented. The theatre ambience allows you to sit for three hours, but at home you want to view something racy. Here nostalgia is recaptured and memory refreshed. I have always loved Hindi cinema and researching for every show is fun.

Friendship
An ideal friend is one who stands by me, no matter what comes my way. He can tell me, ‘Dude you are wrong!’

Ideal woman
She should be spunky, independent, a go-getter and have her head on her shoulders. More than being pretty, she should be somebody I could sit down and talk to with a glass of wine. I should be able to relate to her on a mental level.

Turn-on
A good conversation is a major turn-on! Also eyes speak a lot. I find the fragrance of Pleasures by Estee Lauder very sensual on a woman.

Romance
I am a die-hard romantic though I would forget birthdays and anniversaries. But any random Tuesday I would surprise my woman by buying her flowers. It’s like saying, ‘I have had a long day but I did think of you.’ No breakfast- in-bed for me, rather it would be an open-air meal. I would love to cook it myself since I am an experimental chef.

Lust
It is a human trait. It means a strong desire for something and it need not only be sexual. I lust for good work!

Books
I can read everything under the sun except self-help books. My top books are Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet and Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights.

Philosophy
Live and let live, and we all will be happy. Don’t judge people. If they are happy doing what they are, let them be.

De-stress
I cook, read, paint or sleep my stress way. I like old-school rock music. But at home I like to have my quiet time and read.

An unknown side
I am very short-tempered. I am a cranky riser and need some time with my newspaper and chai. There is a difference between getting up and waking up.

God
I am not religious. But if my mother asks me to accompany her to the temple, I do so because I don’t like her going alone. Giving God ultimatums like, ‘If You want me to believe in You, then You have to do this for me,’ doesn’t work. My sense of energy is myself.

Short Take With Karan Grover

I am... Karan Grover. Life is... Getting better... excellent. Believe in... The universal power. Love is... Faith. Lust is... Inevitable. I fear... Nothing. I hate... Nothing. Obsessed about... Acting. Favourite colour...White. Mumbai is... Home. Favourite shopping place in Mumbai... Bandra. I like to eat... Healthy food. Favourite actor... Amitabh Bachchan. Favourite actress... Rani Mukherjee. Fussy about... My work. Marriage is... Inevitable. When I'm not working you'll find me... Sweating at the gym. I feel most comfortable... With my family. At a party, I can't wait to... Get drunk. Best thing about the TV industry... A cool place to work. Worst thing about the TV industry... The long working hours. Things I want to change about myself... Nothing really.

Dr.Keerti Mehra

Known to be among the most popular vamps on Indian Television, Sonia is headed towards a drastic change to her stereotyped image. Sonia is a part of Star One’s - Dill Mill Gaye, where she plays the character of - Keerti Mehra, a strict doctor, who makes life difficult for the interns.

We talk to Sonia and get an insight to her character in the show, her future projects, and how does she feel about her versatile roles.

Tell us something about your role in the new show:

I play a character called - Keerti Mehra, who is a strict professor who makes life a little difficult for the interns. She isn’t a negative character, thank-fully (laughter).

How is it been playing a positive character for the first time on Indian television?

I am so glad that I am not playing a vamp. It was time I began doing something different. Its been a little difficult actually, playing positive. Between the shots, the director has to cut the shot, as my expressions look negative, so it was difficult at first, but I am sure soon, I’ll get the hang of it.

There have been rumors that you might return to KumKum, is that going to happen anytime soon?

I don’t know, I was to start shooting soon with them, but things didn’t work out, the production has asked me to join them, in the first week of September, lets see how that works out.

A final note take on your new show?

Its something very different, my character, the story, everything. So be on a lookout for Dil Mil Gaye.

Karan has About His Character As Dr.Armaan And Dil Mill GAyye

The serial now has pyar, masti, emotions and betrayal has Karan playing the young intern Dr. Arman Malik. "Arman the son of a doctor. He is confident, spoilt and flirtatious. But he is a very good doctor too and is very serious about his work," says Karan. He says Arman is both serious and fun-loving. He gets along well with the dean’s elder daughter, also an intern, Dr. Anjali Gupta and romance starts brewing between the two. But before the relationship evolves any further, complications arise and Arman falls in love with the dean’s younger daughter Dr. Ridhima. "I am expecting everyone to love the show. It’s not a normal family drama. The new interns are full of spunk, commitment, energy and the story has lot of drama. It also explores the complex world of relationships," says the actor who is having great time working for the show. "We have lot of fun on the sets. The idea is to enjoy your work and when you are happy you tend to work better." Karan is a fitness freak and loves swimming besides playing basketball and volleyball. But he is not a party animal. "I am not into parties and late nights. I have a few close friends but they aren’t from the TV industry," he signs off

I face things as they come:Shilpa

Hardly had she dreamt of becoming an actress until acting just happened to her. A software professional otherwise, Shilpa Anand is gaining all the attention on the small screen these days for her character Dr Riddhima in serial Dill Mill Gayye . We caught up with this pretty gal when she recently paid a visit to the city. So how has been her experience on TV like? “It has really been great. I am just enjoying my work though the hours are very long. But I don’t feel that it’s my first time on television. That’s also because my co-stars are quite supportive,” she says. Wonder why this switch from being a software professional to an actor? “Making a career in acting was not a deliberate decision. It was actually on the insistence of some of my friends that I started taking modelling assignments which gradually led to getting film offers from the South, which I accepted. Down South my work even received a lot appreciation. And that’s how my journey in this line began. But at the moment I’m happy working on small screen as it has really raised my popularity graph.” But with so many fresh faces on screen, we ask her what would make her stand apart from them? “See, each actor has his own style of acting. So do I. At the same time I keep working to improvise my acting skills so that I can stand apart from my small screen counterparts.” Having done modelling too, we next ask her, what does she prefer between modelling and acting and she takes off, “There is a big difference between the two. In modelling one needs to be focussed for you have the responsibility of endorsing a brand while in acting the attention is shared by the other co-stars as well which makes it a bit convenient for the actor. Therefore I feel acting much easier then modelling.” What plans for the future? “See I don’t believe in planning things for future. I face things as they come. But yes I would definitely want to grow as an actor and that people know me for my acting. Be it comedy, romantic or thrillers I would like to try all of these and show my versatility.” As she readies to leave we shoot one last question. What’s Shilpa doing when not acting? “Acting is a hectic job. So whenever I get time you’d find me sleeping. Also in order to maintain my figure and keep myself fit going to the gym is a part of my routine.”

Shraddha Nigam with boyfriend Karan Singh

Shraddha Nigam's boyfriend Karan Singh is in trouble. His Dill Mill Gaye (Sanjivani 2) co-actor Sonia Singh has gone bonkers over him. So far, it's a one-sided affair.On the sets of Dill Mill Gaye, Sonia goes all out to take care of Karan. Says a source, "During lunch break, Sonia keeps asking Karan if he's eaten food. When he eats late, she gets very worried. During her free time, between the shots, she tries to spend as much time possible with him. She talks to him very lovingly. It can be seen in her eyes when she speaks to him. We don't need to wear glasses to understand what's happening."

Our source also says that she has been brooding about the fact that she can't get Karan's attention and of late, has even got into drinking. She has been crying to her friends that she has gone crazy about Karan.


Sonia Singh
An actor from Dill Mill Gaye, reveals, on condition of anonymity, "Many actors got together and explained to Sonia that she should control her feelings for Karan, else she will ruin her marriage. But she just does not listen."

When contacted, Sonia says, "I like Karan as a co-actor and everybody on the sets likes him. I don't look at him differently."

Sonia was only 17 years old when she got married to Avinash Bobby, who has written for serials like Kamal and Koi Apna Sa, but is currently unemployed. When asked about her marriage of 10 years, she says, "I am happy with Bobby and my marriage is not on the rocks. I am staying with my husband."

However, Karan chooses to take the safe route. He feigned ignorance about Sonia's feelings. However, a family friend of Karan says, "Karan can't do much about Sonia. After all, she is a girl. He can't be aggressive with her. We hope this dies down."

When contacted, Karan's girlfriend Shraddha Nigam, says, "Many girls swoon over Karan. I take it in my stride."

Karan is more practical than Dr. Armaan

The chocolate faced actor’s current role of Dr. Armaan in Star One’s Dil Mil Gaye has made Karan Singh Grover the heartthrob with females. The actor who holds a degree in hotel management decided to try his luck in the world of modelling after working as a Marketing Executive with Hotel Sheraton, Muscat for a year. It was in 2004 that Karan participated in the Gladrags Mr. India contest and bagged the most popular model award.


Then came television and he debuted with Kitni Mast Hai Zindagi. He then essayed a negative role in Kasauti Zindagi Kay and the rest is history. On the personal front Karan is seeing actress Shraddha Nigam and the couple is seen it all social dos.


The actor spoke about his dreams, desires and his love to Neha Maheshwri. Here is an exclusive:


What is the real Karan like?
The real Karan is very akin to Dr. Armaan from Dil Mil Gaye but a little more practical than him.


Can you tell us about your background?
I am born in the Kingdom of Saudi. I came to India in the year 2000 to do Hotel Management from Dadar Catering College, Mumbai. After completing my degree I went to Muscat where my family had shifted.


What are your likes and dislikes?
I like everything as I am a very happy-go-lucky guy. The only thing that irritates me is smoking.


What is the one thing you are crazy about?
I am crazy about fitness.


Do you follow fashion trends? What is fashion according to you?
I do follow fashion trends. I believe fashion varies from person to person. Something that you can carry off with ease, confidence and comfort is fashion.


How do you chill out?
I prefer catching up with movies.


What kind of cinema do you like to see?
I love watching comedy, action thrillers and horror movies.


What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about my work.


What are your other interests?
I love to sing. I also had a band during my college days called Thousand Decibels. If not an actor I would have been a singer.


What is that one thing about Dr. Armaan that appeals to you the most?
That he is well-educated and a Doctor whereas I just hold a degree in Hotel Management.


Which show do you enjoy the most?
I love to watch a lot of comedies. Of late its Heroes on Star World.


Do you think the saas-bahu serials have reached their prime?
It is a very individualistic thing. I too have been a part of Kasautii Zindagi Kay. There will be many people who must be relating to those shows that is why they are still on television. As an individual I relate more to Dil Mil Gaye as I am a lot like Dr. Armaan.


What is your dream role?
There is no dream role as such. I am open to everything that would come my way.


What attracted you to Shraddha Nigam? Since when are you seeing each other? How did you meet her?
Apart from the fact that she is one of the most beautiful people I have come across, Shraddha is very positive. She brings a smile on every face she meets. She is so lively and bubbly that she alleviates me even if I am sad and stressed out.


What do you both fight about?
We fight on everything that any other couple would fight on. We fight when we don’t receive calls from each other or do not meet up on the decided time.


What do you guys love to do together?
We love to hang out and do everything together. We do yoga, cycling and play volleyball together. We also love to play on play-station together.