Shalien Malhotra, the TV actor known for shows like Ishqbaaaz, Ziddi Dil Maane Na, Koi Laut Ke Aaya Hai, and others, recently turned producer and director with his new 8-episode musical romantic web series Seven And A Half Dates starring Surbhi Jyoti and Karan Wahi, released on May 24 on Novice Records YouTube channel. In his latest post dedicated to Surbhi, the director shared a big note, detailing his experience working with the actress.
In the opening para, Shalien dedicated the post to Surbhi, recalling how the two started their acting journey nearly the same time with the same production but with different pathways: “This one’s for @surbhijyoti
Jyoti ji as I call her, what a journey we’ve had, launched in the same year by the same ppl, two diff paths, two diff channels, two different shows ….
Never did I ever imagined id ever be having you as my AAINA cuz I never really thought id ever write.”
He further appreciated Surbhi’s fussfree behaviour on the sets saying, “Now I know when people say you’re the most fussfree actress on the sets, why do they say it…. 5 minutes and you’re in and out with the change in costume, not a minute more probably even lesser, we’d put you through the harshest work conditions because knowing you over the years I know you absolutely HATE NIGHT SHIFTS and guess what we ONLY HAD NIGHT SHIFTS….. but you took it on and how….”
Shalien expressed his gratitude and shared that he was pleased to have her on the sets: ” You’ve been a pleasure to have on the set, and what I owe you is you canceled your first anniversary trip to accommodate our shoot and I’d be forever indebted for that…
Directing you has been a joy, you understood AAINA more than what I thought , wrote or even got on the table.. you didn’t just gave it a life , you made AAINA. So much you that it didn’t seem you’re anyone else ”
And concluded with, “Personally I’ll tell you what you’ve done to me as a person, but as a director or creator you gave me that absolutely one shot of mine which was so important that it got me tears and tears to me are the rarest most remotest possibility only and only cuz it was surreal to feel and see the way it shaped up….
Thank you Jyoti ji for everything ….”
