Their on-screen camaraderie may have ended when Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai wrapped up in 2013, but Nia Sharma and Krystle Dsouza have effortlessly translated their on-screen chemistry into a strong off-screen bond, nurturing it over the years. This Raksha Bandhan, they will celebrate their relationship by tying the sacred thread of love and protection to each other for the fourth consecutive year.

Nia recalls, “One Raksha Bandhan, my brother Vinay, who is based in Bengaluru, couldn’t make it. Krystle, who became my neighbour in 2021, surprised me by showing up with a rakhi and a beautiful hamper. That’s how it started, and it has since become an annual ritual for us. We are continuing the legacy we created as sisters on our TV show years ago.”

Krystle says, “I have an elder brother, but he moved to Canada around 10 years ago, so I haven’t been able to tie him a rakhi. Since the show, I have always felt a special connection with Nia. On the show, we would tie each other rakhis, and I felt the need to keep this tradition going. Once we became neighbours, I thought it was the universe’s way of telling us we were meant to be together (smiles).”

Reflecting on how they developed a strong bond, Nia shares, “I was just six months into the industry, while Krystle had already done a few shows. We would attend workshops together for Ek Hazaaron Mein.... She would pick me up in her car since I didn’t have one. Then, during a month-long outdoor schedule in Rishikesh, we shared a room, and that’s how our bond grew. There was a brief period when a slight rivalry emerged because our on-screen characters were pitted against each other, but we were mature enough never to let it affect our friendship.”

Krystle says, “When we started, we didn’t receive the star treatment we might get today. During our outdoor schedule, we shared one hotel room and had to wake up at 4 am for a 5 am shoot. I was more punctual, so I would wake up early. I would drag Nia to the washroom and throw her in the shower so we could get to the set on time. We always made sure to take care of each other. On days when I wasn’t well, she would ride a bike in Rishikesh to take me to the set. Our bond was strong from the start, and despite others trying to pit us against each other, it never affected us. I like to believe we have a past-life connection.”

Despite their different personalities, it’s the similarities they share that have strengthened their bond over the years. Nia says, “Even though Krystle played the older sister, and I played the naughtier one in the show, in real life, we are the same age. Both of us are crazy, wild, and like to live life to the fullest. We don’t get to meet often because we are busy with our own lives and friend circles, but whenever we do, we can laugh about anything. Hum aankhon aankhon mein kisi ko dekh kar hassna hota hai hass lete hain. I am a little louder, and she has become calmer (laughs!).”

Krystle believes the differences are the best part of their relationship. She adds, “We are very different and that’s the best part. I am the calm, and she is the chaos. She is really chaotic! Though we are very different, we share some similarities – we have our values in place, we are both hardworking, and independent, and we have worked hard to achieve something for ourselves. Somewhere in those similarities, we meet. But yes, we are very different in terms of personality.”

Talking about their skills in the kitchen, Krystle shares, “I see myself as the more responsible sibling in life, while Nia is the more skilled one in the kitchen. I remember inviting her over for tea and making the worst tea possible. She drank it, cursing with every sip, but still finished it (laughs!). The next day, she invited me over for tea, and that’s when I realised she was the better cook.”

Currently, Nia is busy shooting for her TV show, Suhagan Chudail, while Krystle has been travelling for over a week. So, how does she plan to tie rakhi to Nia this year? “It’s a ritual I can’t miss at any cost. So, I will fly back to be with Nia on Raksha Bandhan,” Krystle affirms.