Gaurav Chopra on his camaraderie with Pushpa Impossible co-star Karuna Pandey; says 'We bonded over a chai vs coffee debate'

Television’s beloved Gaurav Chopra has made a much-awaited return to the small screen, stepping into the role of Professor Rajveer Shastri in Pushpa Impossible. His entry as Pushpa’s law professor marks a pivotal shift in the story. But while the on-screen dynamic between Pushpa and Rajveer is tense and layered, the off-screen camaraderie between Gaurav and Karuna Pandey is lighthearted, spontaneous, and full of laughter.

Karuna, who leads the show as Pushpa, opened up about their surprising off-screen bond. “From the very first phone call, there was this unexpected ease between us, a warmth that just carried into our scenes. We’re two very different personalities, but there’s a strange sync in how we approach our craft,” she said.

She continued, “He’s deeply sincere, incredibly instinctive, and so thoughtful in the way he performs. What I really enjoy is how we balance intensity with laughter. Rajveer is such a complex, brooding character, but between takes, we’re often laughing our heads off or pulling each other’s leg. There’s an ease, a rhythm, and above all, a shared passion for acting that both of us have, and I think that’s what the audience is connecting with.”

Gaurav also shared how joining a long-running show came with its own set of challenges and surprises. “It’s a challenge to walk into a show when it’s already running successfully for three years. The tone is set, the audience is connected, and then you arrive to shake things up.”

Speaking about their quirky bond, he revealed, “Even before I stepped on set, Karuna ji sent me regards through the team. And believe it or not, we actually bonded over a chai vs. coffee debate on set, which got intense! Karuna ji is a die-hard chai lover, and I’m all about my black coffee. What started as playful banter turned into this hilarious debate with the entire crew picking sides.”

He added, “It’s moments like these that build an effortless comfort between us, and you’ll see that chemistry translates beautifully on screen.”