A month after Mission Mangal delved into Mars Orbiter Mission, the subject has got a digital adaptation in M.O.M. — zee5's Mission Over Mars. In a chat with mid-day, lead actors Sakshi Tanwar and Palomi Ghosh discuss the joys of playing scientists and why they are unperturbed by comparisons.

What made you greenlight M.O.M.?

Tanwar: Director Vinay [Waikul] showed me a documentary based on the scientists [who had worked on Mars Orbiter Mission]. Two minutes into the documentary, I knew I had to do the show. After reading the script, I was all the more convinced. Ever since Dityaa [daughter] has become a part of my life, I have become choosy. A show has to be good enough for me to leave my daughter home and head out for a shoot. Ekta [Kapoor, producer] did a smart thing by not telling me that the series was for ALTBalaji, I got to know that after I took on the project.

Ghosh: Since I have been a space enthusiast, it was an easy decision for me once they liked my audition. I had never played a geek before and it was fun doing it. My character is low on the emotional quotient and has a high IQ.