‘She started bringing in a lot of happiness into my life’_

Yash is back in the spotlight with ‘Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups’, his latest theatrical release after ‘KGF: Chapter 2’. Geethu Mohandas directorial has been receiving mixed reactions from audiences.The actor has previously spoken about his relationship with Radhika Pandit and recalled how their bond developed from an awkward first meeting into a close friendship and eventually marriage. In an old conversation with TOI City, Yash opened up about the qualities that brought the two closer.

Radhika Pandit recalls first meeting Yash

Radhika Pandit opened up about meeting Yash for the first time while they were working on a television serial.“I was working for a serial, where the character was replaced. We knew that there was a new guy, and we were all curious. I used to get picked up first for the serial, and he was the second to enter. I remember him with his bag, entering. I remember him entering and I said ‘Hi’ and he said ‘Hello’, and that was it. I thought either he was rude or he has a lot of attitude or he was just not my type, who could be friends with me,” she said.

Yash recalls friendship with Radhika Pandit

Their equation changed as they gradually began spending more time together. Yash said he became increasingly comfortable around Radhika Pandit and noticed that she brought out a side of him that others had not seen.“To be honest, I cannot exactly tell you when and why (our equation changed from friends to lovers). But, the only thing is, we started talking and I used to feel comfortable. There used to be a different side of me that emerged, which no one had ever seen. I never was so close to anyone. Somewhere along the line, I realized this was more than friendship. She started bringing in a lot of happiness into my life.”

Actor says Radhika changed his outlook

Yash also explained how different their personalities were. He described himself as someone focused heavily on professional goals. Radhika Pandit, meanwhile, brought a more relaxed and everyday perspective into his life.“Even as friends, the point of view she had of life was unique and entirely different from mine. It was very real, full of life. My idea was very professionally driven, I was a very ambitious person. I always used to think of what to do, where I should stand and what I should achieve. But, she would tell me about what I should eat or where I should go.”The actor said he eventually realised how naturally their contrasting personalities complemented each other.“I somehow feel she completes me. This combination is such – I am a very practical person, but she is a romantic.”

Yash on Radhika Pandit’s reaction to ‘Toxic’

Yash has also recently addressed how Radhika Pandit may feel about some of the bold material in ‘Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups’. During his appearance on Rajat Sharma’s ‘Aap Ki Adalat’, the actor said he would not pretend that partners are always comfortable watching such scenes.“I think every partner will be uncomfortable. I don’t want to lie. Har partner ko hoti hai, lekin I think by the end of the day we have to understand that it’s a craft, it’s an art, and what we are trying to achieve with this is very, very important.”

Yash explains his approach to bold scenes

Yash further explained why certain creative choices become necessary when a filmmaker wants to tell a particular story. He said some artistic decisions can have value beyond their immediate impact.“Kuch cheezein — log jo maante hain, uske liye karte hain, kuch cheezein log jo jaante hain uske liye karte hain, kuch cheezein isliye karte hain ki agle generation mein bhi usko leke, reference leke kuch seekhte hain.So, some things have to be recorded and I feel this story is important.” (“Some things are done for what people believe in, some things are done for what people know, and some things are done so that future generations can refer to them and learn something from them. So, some things have to be recorded, and I feel this story is important.”)‘Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups’ marks Yash’s return to the big screen after ‘KGF: Chapter 2’. Directed by Geethu Mohandas, the movie also stars Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria and Rukmini Vasanth.