Priya Shinde

How does it feel being the new Splitsvilla champions?

Priya: It’s surreal. The show was shot in December and for a person like me who really can’t keep a secret, it was extremely tough to keep mum because we were under contract. In fact, it was only last week that I told my family that I had won Splitsvilla! I always knew that I had the right attitude and the perfect poise to be on a show like this and the fact that I came from behind to win just corroborates it.

Dushyant: Although we shot for it three months ago, it still is very fresh in my mind. Even when I see the episodes now, everything — the thrill, the tension, the plotting and the planning — all comes back to me. The win was unbelievable, like a dream. I still can’t believe it happened to me.

If you were to relive the winning moment for us...

Priya: It was awesome. It took a whole day for me to realise that I had actually won Splitsvilla. The win was all the more meaningful because no one had given Dushyant and me a chance. We were these two people who everyone was plotting and planning against. Everyone used to talk behind our backs. When we won, we just hugged each other and I told Dushyant: “Balls to these guys!”

Dushyant: I had only one thought when I was told that I had won: “Sach ho gaya sapna”. Throughout the show I had blinders on and only concentrated on myself. I kept away from the gossip and the backbiting. I knew that I was the best and I eventually proved that I am the best.

Why Splitsvilla?

Priya: I have been a model for many years now and television and films is the next step. But I wanted my TV debut to be very big and it definitely can’t get bigger than Splitsvilla. It’s a show for the youth, of the youth and by the youth. I had got a lot of offers for reality shows on UTV Bindass and some other channels, but I always knew that I had to be on Splitsvilla. It’s a perfect blend of action and attitude, emotion and excitement. Also, it’s a show that promises love and I wanted to experience that love. The best part of the show for me have been the dates that I have gone out on. It’s a magical show that makes you fall in love and also gamble in love.

Dushyant Yadav

Dushyant: I have watched all the seasons. When I was in college, I watched the show and desperately wanted to be on it. In my opinion, Splitsvilla is the only ‘real’ reality show on Indian television because nothing is scripted. Every emotion, every word spoken is real. Splitsvilla is nothing short of a world war!

When did you first realise that you could win Splitsvilla?

Priya: To be honest, I never thought I would win because unlike the others, I did not come into the show thinking: “I have to win, I have to win”. Even Nikhil (Chinappa, Splitsvilla host) asked me one day: “Priya, how come you are so chilled out?” He was very shocked when I told him that I was looking at the show as just a holiday! As soon as I walked in, I realised that my chances to stay till the end were remote because all the other girls were bitchy and aggressive and needed the slightest excuse to get into a fight. Girls on the show have fought over the most petty things — from chipped fingernails to whose outfit is better. I could never fit into an environment like that.

Dushyant: That would be before the last dumping (elimination round). When Ashish, who was the strongest contestant, got eliminated and I got saved, I knew I had a big chance. Once I survived that elimination, everything else was a cakewalk.

How was it to partner each other?

Priya: Dushyant is a very genuine guy. The one thing that bound the two of us from the start is that we are both honest and true. Initially he didn’t trust me because the others had poisoned his mind against me. But I always found him sweet, innocent and non-bitchy. I was always sure that if I had to win the show, it would have to be with Dushyant and no one else.

Dushyant: Unlike all the other girls on the show, Priya never faked anything. Her emotions, feelings and attitude remained constant throughout. When everyone had gone against me, she was the one who stood by me.

Are you two a couple?

Priya: No, we are just friends and I want it to remain like that because I think a relationship will spoil our friendship. It’s true that I was a little uncomfortable when Payal (Thapa, a contestant) was getting too close to Dushyant, but that’s because I am possessive of him as a friend.

Dushyant: We are just friends. Period. Nothing more, nothing less.

Who did you hate the most on Splitsvilla?

Priya: I just hated Ashish (Agarwal). He was too smug and cunning. He plotted against me from day one, but eventually I am the one who eliminated him from the show. That was sweet revenge.

Dushyant: It would have to be Ashish. Splitsvilla mein koi decent banda aapko milega nahin but Ashish was far worse than the rest. He was on a different trip altogether.

Who did not deserve to be on the show?

Priya: Tina (Thapa) was very bitchy. I know you have to be a little aggressive on the show, but she had a terrible temper. She used to hit with her sandals!

Dushyant: I think everyone earned their place on the show. There were some who should have been eliminated much earlier than they did, but overall we were a deserving bunch.

Which task did you enjoy the most?

Priya: The first and the last tasks. The first was a treasure hunt in the desert that was very challenging and I was the only one who managed to complete it. The last task was physically very taxing and I was the only girl who managed to do it even when the men quit midway.

Dushyant: The camel-milking task in the desert. I was so nervous before the task because how on earth do you milk a camel?! It’s not something that you would have a strategy in mind for, would you?

What next for the two of you?

Priya: I have already acted in two Marathi films and a third is about to release. Then of course will be the chance to host a show on MTV with Dushyant.

Dushyant: I have just walked for the fashion weeks. I plan to get into movies. And a career with MTV awaits me. Life has just started!