One of the most popular couples in town, Karan Kundrra and Tejasswi Prakash are a social media sensation. Each time the actors are papped together, their pictures go viral in no time. Mention this to Prakash and she sounds all modest:

“People love to see Karan, and if I’m with him, they like it. When we go out, everybody recognizes him. At times, people would tell him, ‘You were so good on Bigg Boss’. I’d be sitting right there and be like, ‘But, I won the show, aapne mujhe pehchana bhi nahin’ (laughs). And then Karan would say that’s because he's tall and people can spot him from a distance. So, he never takes the credit.”

All praises for her beau, Prakash admits that Kundrra’s presence has brought about “a massive difference” in her life. “I’ve changed completely. The way I approach my career now is so different. That’s because Karan has been so gutsy and has experimented with all his projects. And he makes sure that I have that confidence, too. He tells me, ‘You’re young, you can take risks, just try new things.’ He’s the one who has made me think the way I do now. Like, all the answers I just gave you, it’s all his teachings (chuckles),” she adds.

Amid all this, one question that has been on everyone’s mind is when are they taking their relationship to the next level. Prakash, 29, quips, “Whether wedding is on the cards or not, I am, as usual, going to put it all on Karan. I mean, I don’t know, I don’t see a ring. Do you? So, let’s ask him.”

However, when asked if it bothers her that more than her work, her love life gets talked about, she says, “TejRan (their couple name) has been loved so much that I’m just scared. I don’t want it to make people stop looking at us as serious actors; we’re not just a couple. That’s why a lot of times we avoid being together. Despite all the love and blessings, I have a concern... I don’t want our relationship to ever overshadow the fact that both Karan and I are good at what we do. We’re strong, both individually and as a couple.”

It isn’t uncommon for a couple to strike up a romance on Bigg Boss, but not every relationship survives when the cameras turn off. However, Bigg Boss 15 sweethearts Karan Kundrra and Tejasswi Prakash are proof that a showmance can continue even after the show. The two are in love and can’t stop gushing about each other. “When I entered Bigg Boss, I was clear that I wouldn’t date anyone on national television. I always found Karan cute and nice, but I never went ahead with that feeling. One thing led to the other, and here I am head over heels, madly in love with this guy. I know he is the one,” Tejasswi says.

Karan adds, “I am in love with her, too. She is a smart and strong-headed woman, yet extremely vulnerable. We have gone through the most difficult situations together on the show and always had each other’s back. Now, we are stronger than ever.”

The couple is yearning to spend some quality time with each other. “Show ke baad, Tejasswi started shooting for Naagin. She hardly gets four hours of sleep every day. It’s tough for her. So, I try to manage my time according to her schedule and do everything possible to be with her. I pick her up from the set as we hardly get alone time.”

Tejasswi says, “Karan keeps everything aside for me. He takes care of me like a baby. I love how he comes to pick me up from the set, drops me home on time and makes sure that I get everything I love. I am lucky to have him as my boyfriend.”

In an earlier interview with us, Karan had said that right after her big win, Tejasswi went to his house at 5:30 am. When we ask Tejasswi about it, she says, “Oh my god! It was so awkward! After the finale, I was waiting for him on the set, but he had gone home. I wanted to meet him, so I left for his house in my grand finale outfit. Imagine, at 5:30 am. And guess what, his father opened the door (laughs!), it was very awkward. But he welcomed me very warmly. Then when Karan came out, he was shocked to see me there. He was also extremely happy that I won the show. His parents were happy, too. I have met very sweet.”

Talking about his first meeting with Tejasswi’s parents, Karan shares, “I first met them on the finale night. There, I spoke to them for 10 minutes. Uncle was sitting on my left, and aunty was on my right (laughs!), so there was a bit of nervousness. It was also a little awkward because I was constantly thinking that they saw us fighting on TV. But they said that they also saw us falling back on each other. And they told me that they think we are compatible. As far as my parents are concerned, they said, ‘Aisi hi ladki chahiye, yeh tujhko seedha rakhegi' (laughs!).”

Today, the couple is celebrating their first Valentine's Day together. Even though it’s going to be a working day for Tejasswi, Karan is all set to make it special for her. He shares, “It’s our first Valentine’s Day, so it will be special. I know she doesn’t like elaborate plans as she is very simple. So, I have to plan everything keeping all of that in mind. I might go to her set, it’s like my second home now. I am going to ask them to let her go a bit early (laughs!). Also, I have worked with the production house for 13 years, they are like my family. I can getthings arranged on the set, too.”

Tejasswi adds, “I wanted to do something special for him, but I have been occupied with my shoot. I asked him if I should take a day off, but he understands that my show (Naagin 6) has just started, and it’s not professional to do that. So, I will be working today. Maine sab Karan par chhor diya hai (laughs!).”

Bigg Boss 15 winner, Tejasswi Prakash, has been drawing mixed reactions over her victory. Several celebrities expressed shock over her lifting the BB trophy and not Pratik Sehajpal. However, instead of focusing on what naysayers have to say, Tejasswi wants to revel in the victory. In a chat, the actress takes us through her journey on the show, her volatile equation with Shamita Shetty and the love of her life, Karan Kundrra. Excerpts:

When I saw the video of my journey on the show, I realised that there were a lot of times when people were strategizing against me. Till the end and even when I was on stage, nobody in the studio wanted me to win. However, Ganpati bappa and my followers had other plans. I will always believe that jiske saath koi nahi hota uske saath khuda hota hai.

I believe that I should trust the format of the show and desh ki janta ka pyaar that I am receiving. It doesn’t look fake to me. It is evident that I got more votes. Those doubting this season’s result should cry foul over the previous seasons’ results, too. Also, why should I expect anyone to appreciate my victory? My family and I should be happy that I won and my fans should be happy that their hard work paid off. Why should my haters be happy that I won? My haters will obviously be sad about my victory. They have the right to be sad. Not everyone is going to love me and I’m fine with that. I am not an ice cream…I am human.

No offence to anyone, but I think I was offered Naagin because I was doing a good job on BB. I would have been offered Naagin even if I hadn’t won BB. Meri jeet meri jeet hai, mujhe Naagin mila hai isliye mujhe jitaaya nahi hai. That’s not how it works. Nothing can take away from my win on BB. Why it is so difficult for people to believe that there is a person who can bag a show like Naagin and can also be a brilliant player? People saw me as a strong contender inside the house from the beginning.

I wanted the final moment of lifting the trophy to be between Karan and me. It would have been the best moment. So, it (Karan coming third) was a shock because he had a beautiful journey on the show. Not that Pratik didn’t play well. Karan was always sure that if it was between him and me, I was going to win. So, he is obviously very happy that trophy finally ghar hi aayi. Having said that, it is Karan Kundrra and he is a lot more than just that last moment we missed out on.

I didn’t call her aunty... it was more like slang. Why would I do that to another woman? She doesn’t even look like an aunty. She is so hot. I don’t know about the boys, but I checked her out. I would take tips from her on diet and workout regime. I have had a beautiful journey inside the house and people were never able to find anything against me. I made one slight mistake in the last week and people want to keep highlighting it. I did apologize to Shamita multiple times. I don’t know what else is expected from me. A lot of shaming was done by people on the OTT version of the reality show. But I don’t wish to bring that up or talk about it. I want to talk about how good a fight I gave on the show while everybody else is busy finding flaws in me. I should be busy finding good things in myself.

I am very possessive and I am proud of it. In fact, Karan and I are shamelessly possessive. I am sure that Karan will agree. We don’t have an issue with it nor should anybody else.

Oh God, Krish is not my boyfriend and neither is Yogita Karan’s girlfriend. She is a very sweet girl. Krish and I are family friends and have known each other since childhood.

It’s not his plan. A pandit told him something. I don’t know what the scene is, but I always took it as a joke. We have just come out of the house, and there is so much to talk about.

Pratik Sehajpal may have won the hearts of millions as a contender to the Bigg Boss 15 trophy, but Tejasswi Prakash walked away with the gong, leaving many speechless. But the actor has no misgivings about her win. I am a big fan of my journey [in the house],” says the actor, who strongly believes that despite being the least liked in the house, it is her housemates that “made me believe I am a winner”.

Her faith was reinstilled when celebrity guests Farah Khan, Gautam Gulati, Mahesh Manjrekar and Ravi Kishan appreciated her on the show. “Some Weekend Ka Vaar episodes were all about Karan [Kundrra] and me. It had also become evident that the housemates were scared of me when they planned things [against me] or tried to take me out [of the game]. Until the time of the announcement, everybody was hoping I don’t win, but luckily the country wanted me to win. I am glad I had fans outside the house, who loved me more. And if you are going to doubt this year’s decision, then you should doubt every year’s decision. If people’s votes decide the winner every year, then why doubt my win? I believe my victory is genuine,” says Prakash.

She didn’t just walk away with the prize, but also found a love interest in fellow contestant-actor Kundrra. Agreeing that relationships formed in the house hardly stand the test of time after the contestants step out, she says, “I am going to be super busy with Naagin. [The relationship] is going to be a struggle, but we are going to figure it out.”

Prakash shot for the promo of Naagin a day before the reality show concluded. “Who wouldn’t want to work with Ekta Kapoor? After winning the trophy, what else could I ask for? Everything has happened so fast, that [the news] hasn’t sunk in yet,” she adds.