Young guns Hiba Nawab and Pearl V. Puri, who play the lead characters of Sattu and Pari in the newly launched show Meri Sasu Maa, are easily the cutest on screen pair on television at the moment.
Hiba, Pearl tell us about the first time you met on the set
Hiba:
I was humming the tune of his previous show during our mock shoot and he happened to notice it, and that’s how the ice broke between us and we got talking.
Pearl:
We were doing our mock shoot and as I entered the shoot, Hiba was humming the tune of my last serial and I was wondering, why does this tune sound so familiar! After that, we just hit it off.
What’s your off screen equation like
Hiba:
You can see the way we giggle and laugh together. Isn’t it obvious our equation is fabulous
Pearl:
Yeah, it’s awesome! We are really good friends and will always be found chatting during shoot breaks.
Considering you haven’t worked before, how easy or difficult was it to initiate the chemistry on screen
Hiba:
It wasn’t an easy process. But we are both good actors and share this amazing off screen bond, so that helped us a great deal in developing the chemistry between us. Besides we love what we do, so that makes things easier.
Pearl:
We love our work and are good friends off screen, so I guess that kicked off the chemistry between us. It is getting better day-by-day, believe me.
Was it awkward filming the romantic scenes initially
Hiba:
We were never awkward because we got to know each other after the mock shoot. Besides, we are professionals who are here to work.
Pearl:
Like Hiba said, we are pretty professional and there wasn’t any awkwardness because we know what we have to do.
Do you ever burst out laughing when you’re supposed to be filming a serious scene
Hiba:
We do that all the time, especially when we have to lock gazes during a scene. We inevitably end up laughing.
Pearl:
Yes, it always happens when we have to look into each other’s eyes during a scene.
Any particular scene that’s made its way to your heart so far
Hiba:
There are many, but the one that’s closest to my heart is this particular scene that I did with my reel life father. Just a day prior to my character’s wedding with Sattu, we shot that scene and it moved me. I was overwhelmed and felt like I was talking to my real dad a day prior to my wedding. I actually started calling my on-screen father ‘papa’ after that.
Pearl:
Most of my scenes are with Ma Saab. There is one particular scene where Ma Saab is in the hospital and her oxygen mask slipped off while we were shooting, and I was so involved in the scene that I started crying.
So who needs more re-takes
Hiba:
We both have our good and bad moments. Also every actor needs retakes because no one is perfect.
Pearl:
Yes, but neither of us requires many re-takes. It’s either the first take or at the most a second or third attempt.
Any scene that’s made you exclaim, ‘Oh, wish I had done it better’ Hiba: I wish I could do all my scenes a little better because an actor must have the hunger to do better than the previous scene, only then will we achieve perfection. The desire to improve is a must. Pearl: There are many scenes like that because perfection is an on-going process. Who is the better co-star- among the two of you Hiba: Of course Pearl! He is very co-operative and always supports me. He isn’t a selfish actor who only wants to do his scenes well, he also inspires his co-stars to strive to become better performers. Pearl: I’d say Hiba is the better co-star, any day. We both sit together and discuss our scenes and help each other. Whenever there is a chance of me bursting out laughing (during the shoot), she controls the moment and we manage to sail smoothly. One thing you like about each other and one thing you dislike Hiba: Pearl is very caring and respects everyone on the sets — right from the director to the spot dada. I like that about him. I dislike the fact that he is terribly innocent and naïve at times and often lands himself in trouble as a result. Pearl: Hiba is extremely positive and only spreads cheer around her. There is nothing that I dislike about her. Any annoying habits your co-star has Hiba: Pearl is quite clumsy. He always ends up dropping food on himself while eating. Pearl: Honestly nothing that I can remember. So, who is the jasoos on the set who gets all the gossip — Hiba, would that be you, or Pearl Hiba: I am not a jasoos on the sets but there are no secrets out here anyway. It’s all an open book. Pearl: No idea about the jasoos but we are like family and share everything with each other. Where are you most likely to be found during breaks on the set Hiba: Chilling with the other actors. Pearl: Hanging out with other actors in my make-up room. Who is the crazier one among the two of you Hiba: We both are! Pearl: Yeah, we’re both equally crazy!
Rapid fire: Favourite corner on the set: Hiba: Wherever we sit becomes our favourite corner on the set. Pearl: My make-up room. Favourite food on the set: Hiba: Food brought from my home. Pearl: A Subway salad. Your 2 am buddy on the set: Hiba: Pearl, because mostly we both are shooting at 2 am together. Pearl: Hiba, considering she’s the one slogging away with me at that hour on the sets. Things you cannot do without on the set: Hiba: My phone. Pearl: Ditto. Your favourite line on the set: Hiba: When our director says, “That’s a good shot, Hiba”. Pearl: “Pack up!” Your dream date would be: Hiba: With Shah Rukh Khan at Mannat! Pearl: I haven’t met my mom in a long time, so my dream date would be with her
Your first crush: Hiba: Shah Rukh Khan. Pearl: I’ve never had a crush.
