The couple who enacted the roles, Mirza Abbas Ali and Preeti Jhangiani, was invited to Pune by Hallmark Cards last weekend to celebrate Friendship Day (August 2). Relaxing in the Peshwa Suite at The Pride Hotel, the two tucked into grilled sandwiches and let out that it was their first real visit to the city. They've both flitted by without having had the chance to talk to people.

Preeti is as pretty as her name sounds and is apparently enjoying her first real taste of success. The B Com student of Jaihind College, Mumbai, takes time off to complete modelling assignments. ``I started modelling for advertisements just a while ago and some of the campaigns include Rexona Deo, Bar-One, Wriggley's, Lakme Fem, Nutrasheen and Enfield.'' The campaign she enjoyed the most was Wriggley's, which is yet to hit the box.

Abbas acts in South Indian films and though his native tongue is Urdu, he has to speak in fluent Malayalam or Tamil for his films. ``I write all the dialogues in Hindi and then mug them up. It's like a test for me everyday,'' he laughs. But the video offered him a chance to display his talents in (phew! thank God) good ol' Hindi and his natural performance also landed him a Hindi film, Nai Padosan, to be directed by Tarun Kumar.

Preeti and Abbas, who have been signed by Rajshri Music for the 10-song non-film music album, are currently working on Kudi Jach Gai, the sequel to Chui Mui Si. Both feel that it was the family values and Indian culture portrayed in the video that appealed to the audience. ``It was a strenuous shoot, shot in Mumbai and Madh Island, but it was great fun too. The couple communicates through a small toy, a symbol of romance in the song,'' they say.

And the two look so good together that they were invited to celebrate Friendship Day here. Are they friends in real life too? Yes, they say, as they pose for friendly pictures and get ready to meet genial Puneites. ``Friends play a large role in one's life. They help develop your personality,'' says Preeti. Adds Abbas, ``There's a famous quote that goes, `Friends are God's excuse for relations.' They stand by you through thick and thin.''

Well, here's to friendship, endorsed enthusiastically by Preeti and Abbas!