When Kinshuk
Vaidya declared that he is dating his Ek Rishta Saajhedari Ka (ERSK) co-star
Shivya Pathania,
SpotboyE.com soon got in touch with his lady love and spent an entire afternoon
at her Malad pad, where she shares a flat with a friend. All giggly, the first
thing which Shivya told us before starting the interview, “Kinshuk already said
it and I told him, I will tell the rest.” In the most candid chat, Shivya,
surrounded by her soft toys, spoke to us about her love Kinshuk, his family,
her family, how she faced body shaming in childhood and much more.
What is the
best part of being with Kinshuk?
Both of us are
ourselves. We like each other the way are and don’t pretend to be someone else
to please each other.
3 things you
like about Kinshuk...
In today’s date
and time, he is a person who is very close to his parents. He is a Mama’s boy
and he accepts that. That is the best thing I like about him. Secondly, when
people want to hide their relationship and roam around saying ‘we are just
friends’, he is very committed and vocal about it. He doesn’t like to hide. And
thirdly, I can just be myself and very supportive. We can share our dreams and
aspirations with each other. Sometime, he makes me wonder if he is for real.
Image Source: instagram/shivyapathania
Kinshuk told
us that you can get away with anything you want...
I really have a
lot of foot-in-the-mouth moment. I had become the benchmark of stupidity. For
example, if anybody else did any stupidity they would say, ‘tune to Shivya wala
kaam kar lia’. I say and do things without even realising. And in spite of all
this madness, Kinshuk likes me. It means a lot (smiles).
When
did you realize that sparks are flying between you two?
My friends are
going to kill me for this. When he wasn’t around me, I started missing him.
That’s when I realised kuch toh gadbad hai. I realised that I am not watching
any videos online at night but thinking whether I should call him or not...I
was like...shit main to phas gayi.
We are not ‘just
friends’. We are friends and we do all the things together as friends. Last
year I remember, it was raining and I wanted to get wet. He just joined me.
There were no sparks. It was case of aag lagi hai.
How did your
parents react when you told them about Kinshuk?
I am close to my
mom but with dad, I have never discussed men. Boyfriend bana na is a big deal.
But he knows about Kinshuk’s presence in my life. They are cool in that sense.
Image Source: instagram/shivyapathania
Shivya, what
is your idea of romance?
When you know
that you are going to be together no matter what the other person’s
imperfections are, I feel that is romance. You can find romance even when you
two go out to have tea from a tapri.
What are your
thoughts on marriage?
I believe in
marriage. My parents had a love marriage. There is no right time to get
married. Kinshuk and I have discussed about it but that doesn’t mean we will
get married right now. Both of us are going to first focus on our careers.
Unlike other
couples you hide their relationship, what gives you this confidence?
Our professional
and personal lives are different. We believe in ourselves and Kinshuk says,
“Agar real life me hero nahin ban sake to on screen hero banne ka kya fayda.”
That is one thing which doesn’t make us pretentious. When you are in love you
should be open about it. When it comes to professionalism, being in love
doesn’t hamper your work.
Would you
guys be willing to do a reality show like Nach Baliye?
I discussed this
with Kinshuk. I just don’t want to jump into anything for money or just because
everyone is participating in it. It’s a platform where you need to show your
art. We are not ready for it yet.
Image Source: instagram/shivyapathania
Have you ever
faced body shaming?
Yes. I have
faced so much of it since childhood. In 7th standard, I visited
my aunt’s place and I ate a lot. When I came back to Shimla, people couldn’t
recognise me because I was so fat. I thank God because I experienced how a kid
is treated in school when she is fat. There have been times when people will
say, ‘hatt moti’. You lose your confidence and start thinking that you are not
good enough, or visit places or wear particular clothes. But I was good in
studies and dancing, and my teachers were fond of me. I changed my school and
started walking of 1.5 km every day and reduced a bit of weight. The people’s
mentality towards me changed. I have groomed myself slowly. Fat or thin, I am
proud the way I am.
Even during my
first show Humsafars, I used to get many hate comments as if I have committed
some heinous crime. I was acting opposite Harshad and he was popular for his
onscreen chemistry with his female co-stars. I used to cry because of the mean
comments. Later, my detractors started praising me for my work.
Now that the
show is over, what are you up to?
Nothing! There
are many things I want to learn. Till the time I get another project I want to
learn something new. I plan a lot of things but every time it goes down the
drain.
Image Source: instagram/shivyapathania
The show
wrapped up pretty soon. What went wrong?
I am really
thankful to all my fans as it was because of them we got three extensions. We
knew it’s going to wrap up but there was also sadness as it was such a huge
production and good people. After a period of time, you get used to it. I have
been happy the way our show was liked. There has been a misconception regarding
the TRPs. The show’s TRP has been 0.5 since day 1. We have also reached 0.7.
When the channel’s highest TRP for show has been 0.6, we have been a 0.5.
Three years
of being in Mumbai, what struggles have you faced? How has been the survival?
I have been very
lucky in this part. I was auditioned for my first show in Shimla, and then I
came to Mumbai. I didn’t want to come to Mumbai in the first place and thought
of going back in 2 days. I had no hopes of getting selected for the show.
The real struggle started after Humsafars ended. I learned what it feels like
attending an audition every morning. I learnt the industry is very deceptive.
Sometimes you sign the contract and then it doesn’t work out. And after a few
months of auditions I finally landed with Ek Rishta Saajhedari Ka. Talking
about finances, I had enough money to survive till I bagged my second show.
When I fell short of money in between, I did catalogue shoots. I didn’t ask
money from my parents.
Image Source: instagram/shivyapathania
Have you
faced any indecent proposals?
Yes, I have come
across one or two. The person will sign you only if you show willingness. You
won’t come across good people every time. But I have always seen and believed
in the brighter side. At the end of the day, only talent speaks and you have
all the right to say no.
Your parents
have supported you throughout your journey of becoming an actress?
I come from a
conservative Rajput family. All my relatives are very traditional and they
believe that girls will marry after a certain age. When I started modelling, my
dad was in for a shock because I was also doing my engineering. We had a
conflict in between in choice of a career. Later I realised, he was just being
protective of me. After I won Miss Shimla, they were very proud and even my
relatives realised that girls are just not girls, they are someone who will
make you proud.
How does the
recognition and fame treat you back at home?
It’s something
even words can’t express. We used to watch Kapil Sharma shows and Kaun Banega
Crorepati together. And then when they saw me on TV with Kapil Sharma and
Amitabh Bachchan, it was big deal for them. There’s an incident I would like to
share when I got a call to share the stage with Amitabh Bachchan for an event
in Raipur. My father had clicked a pic with a mannequin of Big B and I thought
that to be real. I was flaunting the pic in front of my friends in school. But
kids can be very rude. There were some students who told me it’s a mannequin
and I asked my dad why he had lied. His intention was to make me happy and
proud of it. This entire incident flashed in front of my eyes. I know my people
back at home are very proud of me when I stood near Mr. Bachchan.
What was the
most difficult part of shooting in Jaisalmer for ERSK?
Thanks to
Jaisalmer I got to know that my body can’t take extreme heat. As I am from
Shimla, my entire body had swollen due to water retention when I was shooting
under 56 degrees. But the lovely people around me kept me going.
Who are your
closest people in Mumbai?
My roommate, who
is not willing to come outside as she knows I am giving an interview. I have
very few friends and they are very good at heart and I can count on them. Also
Kinshuk and his family. They are very warm people. When I miss my family, I
meet his friends. Also, Sanjay Gagnani, who plays my on-screen brother in ERSK,
is a good buddy.
Thumbnail Image Source: instagram/shivyapathania