After television, Ridhi Dogra has been exploring other mediums. In the last couple of years, not only did she foray into the OTT space, but has also managed to bag interesting roles in films.

Ridhi, who’s been a part of TV shows like Maryada: Lekin Kab Tak? and Savitri, did her last fiction show Qayamat Ki Raat in 2018, before she took a break to make her web debut with Asur: Welcome To Your Dark Side, followed by The Married Woman. Given that some TV actors have taken a break to change tracks in the past, we ask Riddhi what makes this break mandatory.

“I think that’s because we don’t have the culture of agents in our country,” she says, adding, “Ideally, when you tell an agent about changing the medium, they guide you and tell you what to do. But, here you are on your own. It is your process, and you decide what you want to do, which requires time. I decided to work on myself and my craft and become a stronger artiste. I always say I am my own product, my own start-up, and I have always believed that whatever success I get, waqt se pehle na kisiko kuch mila hai, na milega. I believe in shukar and sabar.”

Talking about how OTT helped her get into films, she says, “I got my first film, Lakadbaggha, because of Asur. I give OTT a lot of credit. I have a purpose in mind about what I want to do as an artiste, and I need the means for it. I don’t know what I would have done if OTT had not come along. I think I would have changed professions.”

Excited to be a part of big-budget commercial Bollywood films like Jawan and Tiger 3, Ridhi says, “These projects gave me an opportunity to work with actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Nayanthara, Deepika Padukone, Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif and directors like Atlee and Maneesh Sharma. It was extremely gratifying to work with them. When you are on a journey, it’s nice to see these people, who have probably reached the pinnacle and are still grounded and authentic.”

Riddhi’s professional transition began at a time when she got divorced from Raqesh Bapat in 2019. “I was giving so much of my time and energy to that relationship at the prime of my career. I got out of the marriage and then shifted the focus on myself, which is why the change happened. OTT happened because I took charge of who I am. I consciously decided to stay close to my family members when I am in the city. I need to live close to somebody I love. Otherwise, yes, it can get lonely,” she says.

Is she open to investing in a new relationship, or does she want to focus on work? She answers, “A relationship takes that focus away from my work because I am a little too giving. I like making a relationship my centre. And I do it willingly, it is not like I am forced to do it. I want to crack the balance where I am able to give everything to my work and also my relationship. My relationship is not my whole world, and neither is my work… I want to strike that balance.”

Actors Raqesh Bapat and Shamita Shetty, referred to as #ShaRa by fans, officially announced their breakup last week, after months of speculation. Bapat’s ex-wife, actor Ridhi Dogra, also put up a post stating how she has been receiving hate for the split. And Bapat is “shocked” by the entire episode: “I don’t know why people think this (that Dogra is the reason behind his breakup). She has been getting crap for no reason. And it hurts me when somebody talks this way to a dear person of mine. No third person can break a relationship. It is only up to the two people in the relationship.”

Calling his current equation with Shetty “great”, Bapat mentions that they will “always be cordial”. He adds, “It was one of the most beautiful phases of my life... And we realized not all people are the same in terms of their nature, how they look at life. If something doesn’t work out, it’s not necessary to be spiteful.”

The Qubool Hai actor admits that the “pressure” from their fandom did affect their relationship. “It’s not just two people who were involved, there’s a family of fans who are involved in it. I think this was like a marriage of two people with respect to the fans. So, it was our responsibility to not hurt them and tell them that it is not working out, and that we appreciate the love they gave us,” Bapat tells us.

The 43-year-old also confesses that the two “dealt with it (the breakup) very maturely.” “There was no crying or sobbing. It was just two people, who loved each other, taking a decision that’s best for each other,” he concludes.

Shamita Shetty has been in the public eye since her participation in the reality show Bigg Boss. The actor’s bond with co-contestant and rumoured beau, actor Raqesh Bapat, became the talk of the town. From rumours about their break-up to them planning to get married, the duo has been grabbing eyeballs ever since the show ended three months ago.

When asked whether so much attention affects her relationship with Bapat, the Black Widows actor says, “Unfortunately, my entire relationship has been out there because we were on a public platform for quite some time. We did create a certain amount of fan following, and our fans love to see us together. But yes, it’s (the excessive attention and speculations) tough. It puts a lot of pressure on two people in a relationship, because you feel like you are constantly explaining yourself.”

Shetty says that besides them, their families are also affected by the rumours: “There is a lot of judgment and trolling that our families go through, too. I speak for his family and I don’t like it. I wish people respect the fact that everyone has a heart.”

But, the 43-year-old adds that at the end of the day, you have to find a way to not be impacted by negativity around you. “We (Raqesh and I) have consciously made an effort to not let these things (speculations about our personal life) affect us. A relationship is about two people. It can’t be about the rest of the world and what they think about you. Luckily, we both are very secure people,” says Shetty.

Rumours are rife that actors Raqesh Bapat and Shamita Shetty, who are currently dating, are on the verge of a break-up. But as per Bapat, what they have is “solid”. He says, “We are in a happy zone; she is a dear friend. Friendship has to be so strong that nothing else can affect it.”

Ask about their relationship and he quickly retorts, “I wouldn’t name it relationship. It’s a bond. We just give names to things. It’s like two people enjoying the space with each other. I respect Shamita. She is a pure soul.”

The two have been quite vocal about their relationship since they got out of a reality show last year, but Bapat seems in no mood to talk much about it now: “I don’t want to talk about it. If there is any kind of progression, people will get to know,” he says.

While he doesn’t openly address their current relationship status, he goes on to quash the break-up rumours: “I don’t understand where these rumours come from. There are people who are speculating and it’s good for them; that’s how the industry works. It’s gossip.”

Reportedly, it was his decision to continue to stay in Pune, his hometown, which led to friction between him and Shetty. “Beyond work, I don’t like hanging around in Mumbai,”

Bapat shares, clarifying that he and Shetty “don’t speak about these things”. In an earlier interview, Bapat had said that he doesn’t believe in the institution of marriage anymore. But now, he calls it a “phase”: “I was in a zone when I said that. I don’t know what will happen in the future. I don’t want to preempt things.”

Post their Bigg Boss 15 stint, Raqesh Bapat and Shamita Shetty have become one of the most-talkedabout couples in showbiz. In an exclusive chat, the actor-couple, who recently celebrated their first Valentine’s Day together, spoke about finding love. Excerpts from a chat:

Shamita: To be honest, when we entered the house, we didn’t expect to find someone. We were not even looking to get into any relationship. But as we got to know each other, we understood that we wanted to explore something solid outside the house, too. Once we came out, we realised that we

really wanted to take this forward, and got to know each other better.

Raqesh: She came across as a beautiful soul. That is when I knew that this was something I would really like to explore. Probably, she is someone I wanted to be with as a partner and as a friend.

Shamita: Raqesh is a great guy. He is someone who has a very good understanding of life. He is easy to be with, which is definitely an important factor for me. So far, we are going good, and I would want to leave it at that right now.

Raqesh: For me, she is not Shamita Shetty; she is an individual. I feel a sense of substance in her and she is someone who is very clear about her thoughts. She is a loyalist and she will stand by you, no matter what.

Shamita: Apart from being grounded, Raqesh is someone who I can talk to about anything. He is a very good listener and we don’t find that in a lot of men. I feel comfortable enough to share anything with him. It is a very good quality to have and it makes me feel secure.

Raqesh: She said it correctly that we can talk to each other about anything. She is a great friend to me. We are not a mushy couple, but we communicate to make our foundation strong. I can talk to her without any filter.

Shamita: I react faster than Raqesh and it bothers me sometimes. He has his own way of handling things. So, I think that is where we have a little bit of conflict, but I feel with time it will be okay. He still has to know me a lot. We are two different people but rarely, on a few basic points, do we clash. I have got into a relationship after a very long time, so I am not used to having a person around.

Raqesh: Shamita likes to keep things in order. By mistake, if I put my wet feet on the bathroom mat, even if I cannot see a mark, she can see it! I have to really be on guard. I have been living alone for quite some time and I am messy. But yes, with time, it will be fine.

Shamita: His smile and dimple melt my heart.

Raqesh: She is beautiful inside-out. Her eyes are so expressive that without saying anything, she says a lot.

A recent cosy picture shared by actor Raqesh Bapat made waves, as everyone assumed it was him making his romance with actor Shamita Shetty Instagram official. However, Bapat clarifies that there is nothing to confirm just yet.

Prod him further if there’s a formal announcement coming anytime soon and he exclaims, “Oh my God, no way! Right now, there’s nothing. It’s a very good bond, and we’re cherishing that. We don’t want to put ourselves under any pressure... If things have to happen, let them happen organically. If there’s anything in the future, we’re not going to be quiet about it.”

Bapat and Shetty came close after they recently participated in an OTT reality show, and fans wondered if Cupid had struck. Soon after, a nickname, #ShaRa, was coined for the two. Their appearances together have also added fuel to the fire, especially when Bapat shared a picture holding Shetty’s hand on a dinner date, along with a heart emoji.

“The dinner was just to celebrate our bond together. What’s the confirmation? I don’t understand,” he quips, and continues, “We were just sitting in a restaurant. It was a good ambience. We had planned to go out for dinner someday, and we did. I just captured the moment.”

Opening up about his “bond” with Shetty, the Qubool Hai actor shares, “There’s a lot of understanding and mutual respect. We care for each other. We are each other’s support system and that’s what’s needed in any bond. When we were inside the [reality show’s] house, we didn’t think we were doing something deliberately. It just happened. You can’t cheat that.”

Ashim Gulati has known that his destiny lies in showbiz ever since he was a boy of 11. A decade later, he left home to try his luck in Mumbai, with no one to really fall back on. Fortunately, the Delhi lad was spared the horrors most strugglers face in the city. He soon found work as a model and then dabbled in television. Today, the 25-year-old is eagerly awaiting the release of his Bollywood debut, Tum Bin 2. In an exclusive interview with BT, the newcomer relives his journey from a model to a male lead. Excerpts:

You come from a middle-class family in Delhi. Were your parents supportive of your decision to be an actor?
In middle-class Delhi homes, acting is not a common professional choice. Initially, even I went through a phase of self-doubt. Though my parents allowed me to pursue my interest, they warned me that it wouldn't be easy.

Was it tough adjusting to life in Mumbai?
Anyone who comes from Delhi to Mumbai will experience a culture shock. People there live in a bubble, and are spoilt. In Mumbai, no one has time to waste; people work hard and party harder. Living here has its cons as well because Mumbai shoots you up like a star and drops you like a bad habit. There were times I felt lonely, with no one to go back home to. I'd wake up at night and start crying. But the good part is, Mumbai has made me who I am. This city keeps me going, I need this adrenaline rush.

You started out as a model and enjoyed a short stint on TV before Tum Bin 2 came your way. How did that pan out?
After doing a few ads, I was offered a finite series called Gulmohar Grand. It was a great team to work with. My family wanted me to be financially secure, so they insisted that I continue with TV. But I did television purely to understand how I fare before the camera. I was terrible in the beginning, but I learnt. After that, I didn't take up more offers - my instinct told me that television would be a massive commitment, which might backfire if I don't get along with the team, or if my character doesn't pan out well. Then I featured in a video with Sonakshi Sinha.

How did Tum Bin 2 happen?
I was enjoying steaming hot parathas at home (Delhi), when I got a call for audition. After clearing the initial rounds, Anubhav sir (director Anubhav Sinha) called me for an audition. It was a really tough day for me. I had to appear in an episode of a TV show and shot the entire day. I was late for the audition, and hadn't even seen my lines. Sir was angry, but he gave me a chance. Fortunately, he liked the audition and decided to cast me. I met Bhushan Kumar briefly after that. We haven't looked behind since then.

It's a tall order to match Tum Bin's standard. Are you ready for it?
It's a great responsibility, as that film is etched in public memory. Tum Bin 2 is a contemporary take on the original movie. The challenge was to match the flavour with fresh ingredients. People who've seen our film feel that we're good as newcomers. Funnily enough, Raqesh Bapat is a distant relative of mine, and I'm playing the part he essayed in the first outing.

As newcomers, do you and your co-actor Aditya Seal worry about being accepted?
People have warmed up to the idea of newcomers now. So, we won't be the laughing stock for sure. I know many boys were vying for the roles that Aditya and I finally bagged. I have great respect for everyone, but I don't pay attention to others in the race. And, I don't mean it in an arrogant way. I believe that the only time I will lose out is when I look behind. This film has given us a sense of achievement. But even if I hadn't made the cut, I would have felt great that I got this far with no support.

Most romantic films these days have intimate scenes, but Tum Bin 2 seems to be an exception...
We've not gone into intimacy. Anubhav sir has retained a sense of old-school romance. Passion can be expressed without getting intimate, your eyes can say it all. There was a lot of potential for intimacy in this film, but he chose not to tap into it.

Did you ever dig into your personal space while emoting on screen?
I'm trying to work out my relationship with someone. There have been heartbreaks and, as a person, I am emotional and sensitive. I break down when I'm terribly hurt. All those experiences helped me relate to my role.

On the personal front, what went wrong with your relationship?
It died out. It was a long-distance relationship, and she couldn't understand my struggle and my career. But we're still in touch and I hope that we'll end up together.