If ever there is any artist who can be called the comeback girl in TV it would be Shivani Tomar for she has faced the rough end of the industry stick early in her career. First, her Zee TV show Satya Ki Kiran did not take off and then she was replaced in Colors show Kasam. In such a dire stress-ridden scenario, most would have packed bags and gone home, however, she battled it out, strived for success, and is set to start opposite Barun Sobti in high profile show Iss Pyaar Kyo Kya Naam Doon 3 (Star Plus, 4 Lions Films). She has a Herculean challenge in hand as she is stepping into the shoes of Sanaya Irani, whose romantic camaraderie with Barun hit Aonian heights of popularity. Here, IndianWikiMedia enters into an exclusive chat with Shivani. Read here for excerpts:

What do you feel about your co-star Barun Sobti? You guys were first slotted to be part of the ill fated Zee TV show ‘Satya Ki Kiran’?

He is very supportive and a great co- actor. The fact that he is so experienced will hold me in good stead. There is a great comfort level between us.  As for the Zee TV show, it is destiny, we never really worked together for it was canned even before shot.  We just had one mock session.

How are you preparing yourself for the character?

I have to do a lot of homework i.e. remembering shlokas from Bhagavad Gita as my character Chandni is very religious and is well versed in this sacred text.  It is a challenge as my school learnt Sanskrit   is quite patchy. But yes I am on the job.

What do you like about her?

Although Chandni is very sweet, yet she has various layers and sub texts to her which appeal to me.   No human is same all the time… right?

You had a bad start so far before finally bagging this big show, how did you keep your morale high?

I do get disheartened as it is natural, but my family has always supported me. Also what helps me is the fact that I have been selected  for big shows, they did not work out is something  else, but the fact that I was chosen means I have the goods. I always believe in continuing to put effort till succeeding.

Will you be comfortable with intense chemistry with Barun as the show is known for. This question keeps popping up for there were rumours that you were replaced from your last show Kasam Tere Pyaar Ki  as you allegedly could not handle the required chemistry with co–actor Ssharad Malhotra?

I would have no issue to romance with Barun as per script requirements.  All these above Kasam rumours were wrong, it is just that the 40 year man and 20 year girl romance did not wash down well the audiences.

Sanaya Irani fans are very angry at you on social media for you are replacing their favourite…any comments…

It is good that they are responding. This shows how much they loved the earlier character. I am a positive person so I rather take it up as a challenge, needing to up my game to make our pairing equal if not better than season 1.

Which other genres would you want to play around with?

I am lucky to have got to play diverse characters after youth stint with Friends: Conditions Apply. Now I am getting into hardcore romantic drama. Looking ahead, would love to don an action packed avatar as well.

You have stayed away from nonfiction space so far?

I am not cut out for aggressive youth based show like Roadies. I rather like celeb oriented shows like Nach Baliye.  Agreed I am a Big Boss fun, but would not want to put myself  out there.

 Any honest confession/s?

Well, at times I lose my temper easily, but yes I get upset more with close friends and family.

We wish her all the best…