My first serious girlfriend was the in first year of my college : Nandish Sandhu

Nandish Sandhu is a household name thanks to his silent, brooding ‘Veer’ in Uttaran. He has also done serials like Hum Ladkiyan, Khwaish, Kayamath and Kasturi. Nandish is also looking forward to doing a few movies though he hasn’t finalised anything as of now. TellyChakkar spoke to him about his childhood days, co-stars, his friendship with co-star Rashmi Desai and his dream girl. Are you looking forward to any new roles? I am not looking out for any serial at present. If something comes my way I will do it but doing a lead is obviously not possible as the track in Uttaran is completely focused on me at present. But, after a few days may be I will be able to take up a few small roles. The character I want to play should be a little grey. I don’t want to do a completely negative character but it should be cleverly written. The character I am playing is very sober and quiet. So, a little change would be good. Who do you like hanging out with on the sets? I am close to Rashmi (Desai), Ayub (Khan), Pragati (Mehra) and Vaishali (Thakkar). Both mine and Tapasya’s families are chilled out. So, we all have fun together but Ayub and Pragati have been very friendly since the beginning. Even our director Nandita (Mehra) is fun to be with. We pull her leg all the time. Have you ever played pranks on the set? I just played one a few days ago. I asked my Man Friday to go to the room where the scene was being shot and tell them I was hurt. Everyone came rushing to find out if I was hurt. So are you dating Rashmi? We are best friends. We discuss our work and personal life with each other. Whenever one of us is feeling low the other one is there to support. I am not a person who can be friends with everyone and anyone so I need someone I can be comfortable with. Rashmi and I share an understanding. Whenever I have a fight at home with my brother I come and tell her or if she has had a fight with her mother she comes and tells me all about it. How did acting happen to you? While I was modeling, I had also given my pictures to a number of agencies. Later I started receiving calls from them and I gave auditions. Then once I received a call from Kasturi’s creative head and there I was. Do you think even Bollywood could happen to you like this? No, I have planned out things for Bollywood to happen. I have been meeting quite a few producers of late. But, frankly speaking if you don’t have a godfather in the industry you can’t dream of bagging a movie with Yash Raj Films. It is very difficult to get a film with them unless and until you are very lucky. So, I am looking out for films with equally important parts. Something like a Rang De Basanti would be great. Do you have any picture of your dream girl? She should be someone like Priyanka Chopra. She should be understanding and caring. She can be a working woman but should pay equal attention to the family as well. How were you as a kid? I was a very thin and a shy kid but later when I grew up I became a big prankster. Maybe it was because of the friends I had then. I did not like more of the theory part in the school. I was more into practicals. I loved being in the lab or doing some drawings. I loved sports, especially cricket. I always had the freedom to do whatever I wanted to do. My family never stopped me from doing anything. Be it going for a NCC camp or a trip. When did you have your first girlfriend? My first serious girlfriend was in first year of my college and I wouldn’t like to name her. You recently participated in Kitchen Champion. How would you rate yourself as a cook? I will give nine on 10. I am a real good cook.