FRIENDS Off Camera…

At loggerheads on screen, Ashwini Kalsekar and Paridhi Sharma share an extremely warm rapport off screen

Sparks might fly and they might spew venom at the sight of each other on screen, but they are the best of friends once the director yells “Cut!”. Ashwini Kalsekar and Paridhi Sharma who are currently seen as the scheming Mahamanga and Jodha respectively on Zee TV’s Jodha Akbar, are doing an excellent job of keeping their camaraderie hidden from viewers!

Once the cameras have stopped rolling, the two can be found in and out of each other’s makeup rooms, talking, laughing and generally having a good time. When not shooting, Ashwini and Paridhi spend a lot of time in each other’s company. The two are even known to have gone shopping together on one of their days off from the shoot. “They are almost like Siamese twins on the sets. When you see one, the other one isn’t far behind.” Says a source on the sets. “Ashwini often brings Paridhi food from home whenever she goes to Mumbai since Paridhi keeps telling people about how much she misses home-cooked food.

“Yes, I do share a very good rapport with Ashwini ji.” Says Paridhi. “She is like an elder sister and a mentor to me. Ever since we have signed the show together, we have become very good friends. Staying so far away from home does get lonesome at times but with Ashwini around, I am able to forget that. She is someone who I have grown to trust over the last few months. I am so thankful to have her stand by my side through the shoot.”

In stark contrast to their ‘BFF’ status, Ashwini’s character Mahamanga is currently seen as conspiring and attempting to brainwash Akbar (played by Rajat Tokas) not to marry Jodha. Viewers can look forward to ‘Shaahi Saptaah’, a week-long royal Hindu wedding of Jodha and Akbar starting Monday, 5th August, replete with traditional rituals like Muh Dikhaayi, Haldi, Pheras and Grihpravesh.    

Watch Paridhi and Ashwini in Zee TV’s magnum opus Jodha Akbar, every Monday to Friday at 8 PM, only on Zee TV.