They have a lot in common. They are not opposites, but they attract. They call each other khadoos. Their banter on Chandigarh vs Delhi is hilarious.Yami Gautam didn't give love a thought earlier, but now she is a believer. Pulkit Samrat swears by Yash Chopra's idea of romance. They are both introverts, but in this interview their chemistry crackles. The lead actors of the upcoming film, Sanam Re, unabashedly tease and nudge each other - even while they talk about their emotional love story on screen, and their alleged link-up off-screen. At the onset, Pulkit asks me, “Do you see the sadness in my eyes?“ I confessed that I didn't, instead, I saw the naughty glint in them. He went on to say, “I met Divya Khosla Kumar (director of Sanam Re) and she asked me, 'You know why I am casting you?' I assumed it was because I am a good-looking guy, or I am a good actor (laughs). But it was none of that. She said, 'Tumhare aankhon mein ek sadness hai, I want that reflected on screen.' Well, I should thank that 'sadness' for the life I have, right? And if I am looking sad, you know who to blame.“ To me, Pulkit looked far from that, slouching on the chair and sharpening his sense of humour. He adds, “But I am quite reserved and I don't talk much.“ Yami quickly says, “I am an introvert too.“

To that he shoots back, “She is more than that, she's a khadoos. We shot a music video in Goa five years ago. We were there for three days and on the last day, during the last shot... she said 'Hi'. That's all.“ Yami coyly smiles, without denial. And the conversation is just warming up.

In Sanam Re, their characters range from 6-60 years. Yami quickly adds, “We play our characters from 16 years onwards. I felt so nostalgic wearing my school uniform and shooting...,“ Pulkit laughs and interrupts, “I don't know about her, but I looked the right age.“ Mean, huh? “C'mon, I think I looked cuter in the film than I did when I was actually 16. I was told I was the prettiest girl in school, but I wonder how they thought I was pretty. I had bushy eyebrows and braces,“ she describes. Pulkit gets bratty and adds, “Wah, so full of self-praise. I would just give you 210.“

If we are talking about the past, let's hold it there. Pulkit was launched with a film called Bittoo Boss that slipped away without a stir while Yami's Vicky Donor still remains unforgettable. Does the failure or success of the first film leave a huge impact? Pulkit firmly believes, “It is not always about the numbers. If Bittoo Boss didn't work for me, I wouldn't be sitting here today. If people like your work they will come back to you. I have never felt discouraged by failure. I was sitting with Salman bhai before my debut film released, and he told me, 'Boss, mere saath bhi hota hai. Mujhe pata nahin hota Friday pe meri picture chalegi ki nahin. If it can happen to me, it can happen to you. Just keep working.' I am strictly following that.“ Yami has her own take, “I think failure and success come with baggage. And being an outsider in this industry, it is far more challenging to find your place here. The industry is a far tougher place to be in than it is perceived. You have to be totally on your heels, not only as an actor, but even as a person. We, like all humans, are vulnerable. Here, we need to always be in control of our emotions, and never lose hope. I didn't plan a backup option, as this was all I wanted to do. So, there is no question of going back.“ Well said, girl. Pulkit breaks into an impish grin, while she is pouring her heart out. “What's funny?“ she asks. Pulkit looks at me and says, “Suddenly, from 26 she sounds like 36 years old, doesn't she? Sometimes, when she starts talking she is the most mature person in the room. Of course, every now and then she will throw in the fact that she's from Chandigarh. For her, all conversations begin and end with 'I am from Chandigarh.' You ask her what the time is and she will tell you, 'I am from Chandigarh.' She believes Chandigarh is a different time zone.“ Breaking into peals of laughter, Yami says, “Hey, I am proud to be from there, just like you can't stop talking about Delhi.“

Moving on, I am sure having Salman Khan as a mentor opened doors for Pulkit in this industry. He explains, “It is great to watch him closely, learn and understand his values. Apart from that, if I don't perform well, no one will give me work. Even Salman bhai won't support me for work. It never matters who you know. That is what bhai told me, 'Aisa nahin hai ke main teri tareef kar doonga toh tujhe chaar picture aur mil jaayegi. Woh hota toh kitne logon ko main star bana chuka hota.' It's a crazy world here - only work can keep you happy and busy.“ To that Yami adds, “I never had a Godfather, so I don't expect anyone to look out for me. My parents mean the world to me and they are my biggest support.“

Talking about superstars, another actor Pulkit can't stop gushing about is Rishi Kapoor, who has a special appearance in Sanam Re. Like a complete fanboy he says, “You understand the charm of the Kapoor family when you meet Rishiji. I was stunned when I heard that Neetuji and he had seen my work, right from my debut film. He told me, 'Dekhte hain hum tera kaam. Accha kaam kar raha hai.' I was orgasmic when I heard that...because this is what I work for. I hope that when I reach his age, I have the kind of energy and passion he has for work. I don't think he will mind if I say that... Even today if you put Rishi Kapoor and Ranbir in the same frame, nobody will look at Ranbir as Rishi will overshadow him. Such is his persona.“

The film is about love and soulmates. I ask them do they believe in these concepts. Yami says, “I didn't believe in soulmates earlier, but now I do. I think your soulmate could be anyone - your lover, friend, sister or mom. I didn't even believe in love and I think I scared away the boys in college. I didn't go out on Valentine's Day or get a single rose. But I love watching love stories on screen. I have seen Maine Pyar Kiya about a 100 times, and if the sequel is made today, I won't mind playing the pigeon in the film. I also love Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ).“ Pulkit teases her, “Now, don't just keep adding movies. And who would you like to play in DDLJ? Amrish Puri? By the way, there is a kabootar in this one too.“ Yami blushes, shrugs her petite shoulders and replies, “Simran, of course. Simran is love.“ I have to pause this sweet banter, and ask Pulkit about his views on love. “Yes, I believe in soulmates,“ and he continues, “The kind of romance Yash Chopra showed in his movies actually happens. I believe in it. You truly understand love songs after a break-up. Everyone appreciates Jagjit Singh and Mirza Ghalib more after heartbreak.“

So, what about love between them? The real kind. There have been rumours about a romance brewing between the two. “It started with film promotions. I think it sparked when people saw our chemistry in the promos. I take it as a compliment, as I know the chemistry is working,“ Pulkit defends. To that Yami seriously adds, “I don't give such rumours much attention. It is common these days; of course, it is not fair on actors. But we can't help it. We are here for a bigger reason and we can't let it affect us. Silence is often misunderstood for not having an answer. But silence also means grace and dignity, right?“ Pulkit lightens the mood and laughs, “See, now she's back to being a 45-year-old.“

I turn off my recorder here. But their cutesy chatter goes on. I am not sure if off-screen camaraderie between actors is always palpable on celluloid. But for this interview, it surely was.