*~SHACHI Spy Club - S.M.A~*

Balaji's love-birds Milind and Prachi, of Kayamath, have set the small screen on fire with their sizzling chemistry on screen. Just a few months back lead actor Shabbir Ahulwalia was down with Jaundice and Typhoid it was then that the actor admitted to having a soft corner for his on-screen lover Panchi Bora.

So, is Shabbir smitten by the petite and pretty Panchi? The actor blushes profusely. "We're very close," he says. "In fact, she is the stabilising factor in my life. I don't think anyone knows me better than Panchi."

Shabbir says that it was after working with Panchi and spending quality time with her on the sets that he realised his true feelings for her. "There is loads romance between us, and people believe that," he says. "I don't blame them because the kind of chemistry we share says it all. Not many actors on TV have succeeded in achieving the kind of comfort level with their co-stars, as Panchi and I have."

Shabbir confesses that he hasn't felt affection as strongly for anyone else in his life. "I'm told that we look good together. People actually said that backstage, at the Star Parivaar awards," he says.

What does his family think of their friendship? "My family have the same viewpoint that I and Panchi look terrific together," he smiles. Shabbir is obviously in love and, what's more, his family too seems to have given him the green signal.

So, what's stopping him from taking the plunge? "I'm waiting for Panchi to say 'yes' to me," he says. While Shabbir is open about his feelings for her, Panchi has always maintained that they are just 'good friends'. In an earlier interview to Mumbai Mirror, she had said, ""Ours is a professional relationship, there is no romance." Currently, she is away shooting for her Bollywood film Its my Life! and was not available for comment on Shabbir's surprise confession.