Lisha Sharma had just returned from a super splash of a Holi bash on Thursday evening when we dropped by at her Jodhpur Gardens home. Her cheeks were a shade of red. Was that just the gulal or has a certain Hardik Pandya got something to do with the blush? Is she, isn’t she… dating the current national hero — who won India the roller-coaster tie against Bangladesh on Wednesday — that is. This is what the 21-year-old model from Jamshedpur had to share with t2.

So, are you dating Hardik Pandya?

(Laughs) We are just good friends. We are both focused on our careers! I am not that kind of a girl who is going to hide things, but it’s too early to comment.We are too young.

How did you meet him?

I have known him for the last one year.

What did you two bond over?

Both of us are very focused.

What is the first thing that struck you about Hardik?

He is very simple. I really find him to be a genuine guy. Very transparent. No matter how busy he is, he makes it a point to click pictures with his fans. That’s very sweet of him.   

Is he boyfriend material?

See, the whole of India wants to date him. So, obviously, he is dating material! But impressing me is not that easy! (Laughs)

What will floor you, Lisha?

He has to be a nice person. I don’t care how popular or successful you are.

Hardik and you went shopping at Quest…

We went to Quest because he had to pick up something. There wasn’t time to show him around Calcutta, but we dropped in at Quest. He knew I was the Quest girl! [Lisha is the face of the Quest campaign] I am super proud of myself! (Laughs) We checked out Armani and Gucci in Quest.

A LOT MORE ABOUT LISHA

Lisha is a student of history.

Lisha is a top model in Calcutta now, boasting campaigns from A to Q (Anjali to Quest), and walking for M to S (Manish to Sabya). Her favourite designers? Sabyasachi here, Alexander McQueen there.

Lisha is not a party person. Except for the t2 party, of course! “t2 is like family... I don’t show my face everywhere. I am exclusive and I want to be exclusive”.

A track both Lisha and Hardik are crushing on right now: Pillowtalk (Zayn Malik feat. Gigi Hadid).

He shares his birthday with: Amitabh Bachchan (October 11)

She shares her birthday with: Salman Khan (December 27)

Hardik is... “Full of life; fun; very smart...”

Hardik  in four words, according to Lisha: “He is the best”!

He comes across as pretty fashion conscious…

He had one slash (hairstyle) before. Now, he has two, achanak se! He was like, ‘This is my World Cup look’.

Do you talk cricket with him?

At times we talk cricket, usually when there are India matches.

So how did you get through that final over?

He was playing, but I was so tense. I chewed off my nails. It was just too much! It was very late by the time we spoke. He had to leave for Mohali and I had this Holi party (Rang On 2016 by P for Party & Smirnoff Experience in association with t2 at P.C. Chandra Gardens) to attend on Thursday. So, we didn’t talk too much. I wanted to look great, you see! No dark circles, no puffy eyes (laughs).

What is your message for Hardik ahead of Sunday’s knockout tie against Australia?

Play well and #BleedBlue!

What is your take on relationships now?

I don’t want to fall in love. Trust me! I have to buy my own house and I will be shifting to Bombay pretty soon. I am too focused on my career right now. This is the time to build your career. I am not looking for love. Abhi kisiney commitment kiya hi nahin hai… toh bolna bahut mushkil hoga kya hai nahin hai….

So your relationship status with Hardik reads...

Hardik and I are good friends. The question of commitment comes when you want to tell the world that you are in love.

Are you in love?

I don’t know whether I am in love or not, I am very happy. My career is my focus now.

And you are blushing pink, purple, red…

Those are Holi colours! (ROFL) One of the high points of my career has been doing the Quest campaign. They could have chosen anyone. They chose me from among 150 girls. I was wearing Gucci and I shot with a Lamborghini. That’s the life I want to lead. A lot of hard work has gone in to get where I am today. It was not easy. I am gonna make it big. I want to work with Aditya Chopra. I am total Bollywood. Pure heroine! And I also have heroine ke nakhre!

Saionee Chakraborty