Packing a punch

Simple Kaul and Aditya Deshmukh

Ziddi Dil Maane Na may be set against the regimented world of the Indian Army, but the show is a love story at its heart. Simple Kaul, Kaveri Priyam, and Diljot Chhabra play the leading ladies in the SAB show that revolves around civilians from different walks of life, who are chosen by the Indian Army to be trained into officers in a bid to combat homegrown terrorists. The drama also stars Aditya Deshmukh, Kunal Karan Kapoor and Shaleen Malhotra. While Kaul has been in the industry for over a decade, two-show-old Priyam and Chhabra are relatively new to the arclights. "I came to Mumbai four years ago, and have been part of Kunal Roy Kapur's Side Hero. I did Project 23 with Prateik Babbar, but this is my first daily soap," says Chhabra.

For Kaul, who has been reeling under the pressure of salvaging her restaurant during the pandemic, the show came as a breath of fresh air. "I love being in the restaurant business. It was my back-up plan. However, during the pandemic, there were days when I just [couldn't manage to] pay the bills. I have cried so many times under the pressure. Luckily, things have begun picking up. It was during this time that I got the call for Ziddi Dil Maane Na," says Kaul, who plays a nurse and single mother on the daily soap.

Kaveri Priyam and Diljot Chhabra

Priyam got a taste of the outrageous content on Indian television right with her very first show - the actor used to play a madhu makkhi (honey bee) in Ekta Kapoor's Naagin. "No more madhu makkhi roles for me! I am done being on Animal Planet," laughs Priyam, whose character Monami probably has the most interesting arc in the latest offering. The actor essays the role of a doctor, who enters the academy in the hope of reconnecting with her mother's past, who was an army doctor. "This is my first positive role. Ziddi Dil… allowed me to explore my emotional side. The journey from a civilian to a special agent attracted me," says the Ye Rishtey Hai Pyaar Ke actor.

Despite having a strong Army theme, the series hardly showcases heavy combat on screen. But Kaul is quick to interject, "That in no way means we don't work hard." She says that the team wakes up at 5:30 am to report to the set early morning. Chhabra seconds her, stating that the show's nature demanded them to be fighting fit. "We are always working out to stay fit. It kicked me out of my comfort zone," she says, adding that she had to pick up Haryanvi for the role. "My character Sanjana speaks Bundelkhandi, which is a different [dialect]. I had to ace the dialogues and ensure that my diction is accurate."

Since the series focuses heavily on romance, the actors underwent several days of workshops to break the ice and forge a sense of camaraderie. The leading ladies unanimously believe that Deshmukh, who plays Faizi, is a "softie". "He talks a lot and rarely listens, which is annoying at times, but he is one of the nicest co-actors anyone can ask for," says Kaul. Chhabra is all praises for Kapoor. "Kunal is a brilliant actor. He makes the give-and-take between co-actors seem so easy. Our energies match perfectly."

Also read: Meet the cast of upcoming show 'Ziddi Dil - Maane Na'