Barun Sobti: My wife always jokes about my female fan following

Barun Sobti’s show Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon took the Indian TV industry by storm and won him a massive female fan following but the actor says all this does not affect his wife of seven years.

The 32-year-old star played an arrogant and unkind business tycoon, Arnav Singh Raizada, on the 2011 show which also featured Sanaya Irani.

Barun says he and his wife, Pashmeen Manchanda, are more like friends than a couple as they have grown up together, and therefore such things don’t really bother their relationship.

When asked about how his wife reacts to his popularity among the ladies, Barun said, “She doesn’t react. She always jokes about it. She has got a pretty awesome sense of humour. If she would read something she’ll be like, ‘bataaun main tujhe.’ That’s how she is.”

Barun and Pashmeen tied the knot in December 2010. They studied in Delhi’s St. Mark’s School, Meera Bagh and have been together for the past 17 years.

“I can’t explain what kind of bond I have with her. We’ve practically grown up together. We really like each other. In terms of support, I would not have got half of what I have today if it was not for her. There’s only one right person for me and that’s her. The kind of things she has done over these years, they make me think there’s nobody else who could have done so much for someone.”

Barun says his hometown, Delhi, has given him some of the most everlasting and cherished memories of his life.

“I spent my childhood in Delhi. I have met my wife here. I spent my life here with my parents and sister. It’s been beautiful. But, I have very fond memories. Everyone wants to relive their life once again but if I had the chance I would do it in the exact same fashion.”

The actor is now all set to make a comeback on the small screen after five years with season three of Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon, but this time he is playing Advay Singh Raizada on the show.

Barun says he didn’t think it was an unsafe move to return to TV with a show which made him a household name.

“It was the channel’s call. I was offered the show with a script and the character and I said yes. Then they decided to reprise the whole thing. So, it was not deliberate. I didn’t think it was unsafe. But, the whole motivation was that the brief that I got for the character. It was satisfying, that’s why I took it. He is a darker character. The whole idea was to break this image of heroes in India-- the only nice boys.”