Shalini Chandran who has played important roles in shows like Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki and Hamari Betiyoon Ka Vivaah is back as the lead in Rishton Se Badi Pratha. Getting the role was not a cake walk for Shalini as even after being finalized there were talks of her being replaced. But the tide turned in her favour and the actress was signed on. Talking of her debut as a lead, her much-talked about chemistry with Vishal Karwal and lots more Shalini faces TellyChakkar’s volley of questions with candour. You are playing a lead for the first time. How does it feel? I always knew that I could do it. I am not being arrogant but it’s just self realization. At times you know what you can do and even while I did Hamari Betiyoon Ka Vivaah people liked me. Later, I did Badmash Company but my scene got edited at the last moment. But, now I make it a point that this does not happen again. Your chemistry with Vishal Karwal is well appreciated by the audience… I have done two shows and my chemistry with Jatin Shah in Kahaani Ghar GharKi was also good and then I did Vivaah on Zee. Vishal is a very good co-actor and generally our views about how a scene should be shot and how we should go about is quite the same. Hence the chemistry shows. Since the first day I did not have to put in any effort to create this chemistry that is how it happened. I like Abhay (Vishal’s on-screen character) and I want to know if there are guys like Abhay. If you know anybody like Abhay let me know! Do situations like the one in Rishton Se Badi Pratha still exist? My best friend had an eight year courtship but it took them two more years to convince their parents to get married. Though both their families are South Indians, the girl had to convince her father and the boy had to convince his entire family. Finally, they got married after accepting all their demands. You were to be replaced on the show? Don’t remind me about that. I just want to thank God and my friend Umesh who cast me and the entire office of Spellbound Productions that was praying for me. I also want to specially thank Pearl (Grey) who was with me all the while. I feel it’s because of my good karma that I am here today. How is it working on Rishton Se Badi Pratha and how are your co-stars? I personally like three actors Ranjan Sehgal, Zeb Khan, Faisal Raza Khan. They are not just good actors on-screen but in real life too they are really nice people. I feel an actor has to be a nice person only then can he portray it on screen. Even my on-screen sister-in-law Riddhima Tiwari is an amazing person to be with. I do not want to say it again and again but Vishal (Karwal) is a real nice person. Surbhi’s character is that of a romantic girl who has a conservative family. Did you have to work on this character? Love and romance really matters to me as I am a very romantic person. So, it was not difficult for me to get into the skin of the character. But this girl comes from a very conservative family so I had to understand how she thinks. I had to understand the psychology of this girl who is scared of her brother, father and others. Because I come from a family where nobody has treated me like this it wasn’t easy for me. In fact I am a pampered child and at times I scare my family (laughs). You’re back on TV after one and a half year break. A lot of things have changed including the 12 hour shift. Comment. I was doing a few movies during this time. But, yes I wasn’t doing anything on TV. I missed doing daily soaps. Daily soaps are tiring but when you don’t do them you miss them. A lot of things have changed on TV and I think the 12 hour shift is good. The actors need rest and the 12 hour shift helps them a lot. What would you like to say to your fans? We are here because of the people who like us. I do not like the word fans for they are the ones who watch us and get us the required TRPs. And, I don’t think anybody is a star on TV. But the people out there have always loved me so all my love and kisses are with them and the ones who don’t love me do love me little.