Bhai-behen banter at Trifecta

Check the slideshow above I spot a smart, yellow shirt-on-jeans guy with a tall, trendy lady in tight jeans and peach top through the glass wall of the swish multi-cuisine restaurant Trifecta at Hotel Royal Garden in Juhu and almost turn away but my instinct tells me they are the guests I am waiting for. A second look and yes… They are the leading television serial producer Hemal Thakkar (Playtime Creations whose show Pammi Pyarelal on Colors Channel is garnering popularity) and his sister, the very popular Vaishalee Thakkar (Damini) of Uttaran fame on Colors channel. Only, I hadn’t expected to see the versatile actor in a hep avatar as she was to come straight from her shoot and go back to resume shooting at Filmcity after our lunch session. Raksha Bandhan may be over but my quest to treat a brother-sister duo to a sumptuous lunch and pound them with questions was pending. Over refreshing Lemon Iced Tea and an appetizing, tongue-tingling veg Kebab Platter of babycorn, paneer, pineapple, seekh, cauliflower and harabara, I witnessed the leg-pulling and sibling bonding between the producer and the actor. As we seat ourselves on the plush sofas, Vaishalee observed the ambience of Trifecta and commented, “This is a nice place. Look forward to the food,” which of course lived up to our expectations. With a Masters Degree in Political Science, she wanted to go abroad for further studies but somehow she landed into acting. I understand that the academically inclined actor, despite coming from a family of educationist grandfather and father Ashok Thakkar who was a reputed theatre artist and producer, debuted with a miniscule role in late Shafi Inamdar’s theatrical production. As she explains, “I am not at all ambitious. I have never been pushy about work but about the jobs on hand, I give my 100 percent.” That’s something the viewers will vouch for after her powerhouse performances in all her shows including Uttaran. Ask her about gelling with Tapasya (Rashmi Desai) or Iccha (Tina Dutta) and she is tight-lipped. “Where is the time to interact with anyone. Daily soaps’ shooting schedules are so hectic that you just long to go home and relax,” she says. The siblings do have their share of fights and arguments but at the end of the day, blood is thicker than water. Meanwhile the producer of successful serials like Ek Mahal Ho Sapnon Ka (EMHSK), Teen Bahuraniyan, Laagi Tujse Lagan and the present Pammi Pyarelal, finds the main course of Corn Capsicum Masala and mouth-watering Kadai Paneer with rotis relish worthy. “We Gujjus are foodies and Vaishalee is a great cook,” says a proud brother, adding, “She is also adept at Japanese art of Ikebana. Our house looks like a garden with all her flower arrangements,” jests Hemal. The bro-sis duo skipped Biryani (no rice for them) and Mili Jhuli Subzi which was a tad too oily but I enjoyed them both with a mango-strawberry based Fruit Punch as I have no weight to watch! Citing one interesting anecdote of how viewers get carried away by the characters portrayed by actors, Vaishalee who played a very negative role in EMHSK, recollects, “Ek Mahal Ho… was telecast three times (first in the night, followed by repeats in the morning and afternoon). One day I commuted by train and opposite me sat a lady with a small child and kept staring at me. She made an obnoxious face at me and suddenly said, ‘Raat ko tumhare chehre dekh ke humein neend nahi aati aur subah subah kaun tumhe dekhna chahega. Isliye hum log dopahar ko hi woh serial dekhte hain!’ I was dumbfounded because as actors, once the director says ‘Cut’, we come out of the character but to know that aam janta takes it so seriously was really a shocker.” Veering on the topic of marriage, Vaishalee avers, “I should be able to respect the man first to think about marriage and have been blessed to have broad-minded parents and a brother who would not push me into matrimony just because it is the done.” After the classic Italian dessert of Tiramisu and Chocolate Mousse, we wind up our mauj-masti session at the classy Trifecta! RAPID FIRE Qs Vaishali Thakkar Your fave show (besides Uttaran) Pammi Pyarelal (this before I could say besides your bro’s). Balika Vadhu. A reality show you would like to participate in... Khatron ke Khiladi (an absolute no-no to Bigg Boss) Do you seek Hemal’s advice on professional matters? We do discuss things and value each other’s opinions. Success to you is… Ratan Tata – a well-rounded persona who is not a successful industrialist but also a good human being. One thing nobody knows about you… I am a cleanliness freak… at home, all my things are in order and neatly maintained. One thing nobody knows about Hemal… Insensitivity puts him off. One thing you like about him.. His clarity, which I immensely lack. One quality of his that irritates you… He is slow as in taking things araam se. I never commute with him because as a producer he can afford to go at his own pace but I have to report on time. A memorable incident between siblings… We used to watch lots of movies till morning and sleep till late in the afternoon. A touching moment… After my dad (Gujarati theatre personality Ashok Thakkar) passed away, Hemal (though just one year older) has been a father figure to me. Your idea of fun… A freak-out holiday with friends. Your stress buster… A long walk or drive with good music. Hemal Thakkar Do you watch Uttaran? Yes. Obviously because of Vaishalee, I guess No. Because my mother watches it (laughs). Has she acted in your production’s serials? Yes – she was in Shubh Mangal Savdhan, she did an intense cameo in Teen Bahuraniyan. How protective are you about her? She is Cinderella for me. I don’t go to sleep till she has come home from a late night shift. Do you worry her to get married soon? No. First she must find the right person to justify the concept of marriage and not marry for the sake of it. Your opinion of her as an actor… Very High! One role you would like to see her as… Indira Gandhi – she has the caliber to portray the strong personality of our late PM. One thing you like about her… She cooks very well. What is her most irritating quality… Laziness…getting up late in the morning. A funny incident…. Many years back on a New Year’s eve she got drunk at home and puked. (Vaishali chides him saying it was a one-off occurrence) Your stress buster… My 19-month-old daughter Maishaa… I just have to see her and all my tensions vanish.