Individually, they’re talented actors with a yen for taking on out-of-the-box roles. Together, they’re one powerhouse couple! Meet Varun Badola, seen in Mere Angne Mein and Rajeshwari Sachdev — they started off as acquaintances, became friends and soon, love-of-the-lasting-kind blossomed. They tell us about their relationship milestones and more.
Varun, Rajeshwari, tell us about your first meeting and what were your impressions of each other…
Varun: I met Rajeshwari for the first time on the sets of Antakshari; I was on the show as a contestant. I wouldn’t say we formed any opinions about each other because it was a brief meeting and we barely interacted. It was only later, when we met at a friend’s birthday party that we actually spoke. She came across as pretty jovial.
Rajeshwari: Yes, Varun was a guest on Antakshari, which I hosted. It so happened that I was in a very bad mood that day due to some problems on the set. I honestly didn’t notice him — until he started singing. He knew all the songs and sang them so well! After the show, we said hello and that was it.
So, what was the proposal like when it finally happened?
Varun: Well, it was I who finally proposed to her, although getting married was more of an unspoken, mutual thing between us.
Rajeshwari: We’d been friends for so long that there was no official proposal as such. The decision to get married was very quick and just made sense to us at the time. However, after everything was done and our families had agreed, I insisted that he propose to me properly, and so he “officially” asked me to marry him, and I — of course — said yes!
What are your most special memories from the wedding?
Varun: The wedding itself was a very special occasion and one of the most important events of my life. I witnessed my life changing within a span of a few hours — before the pheras and after, you feel like a different person. I think the best part about our wedding was that it went off very smoothly.
Rajeshwari: I was very happy — it was the best wedding I could have asked for, just the way I wanted it! But 10 years later, I have this desire to go through it, all over again, in a slightly different manner maybe! I guess like all weddings, it had its share of chaos too — but it’s still something I fondly remember.
How has being parents changed your lives? What’s a really cherished memory you have of your son?
Varun: It has changed my life in more ways than one. I think you no longer live for yourself, rather the purpose of your living changes. Your child takes precedence over your wants and needs. Honestly, I feel that you only get to understand the magnitude of it when you experience it yourself. I’d like to share this one time when my son really left me amazed! I had come back from my shoot in the morning and I had to leave the following evening for another overnight shift. My son, who was 16 months old at the time, insisted that we play for a while and I agreed thinking that I’d play with him for 10-15 minutes and he’d soon tire out and I’d put him to sleep. Well, I was in for a surprise because while playing cricket, he kept bowling to me for more than an hour without a break!
Rajeshwari: I think it’s a little hard to explain just how much your life changes after becoming a parent… But if there is one thing that it has taught me, it is patience. It is extremely exciting, because every day our little boy is growing up and learning new things and it’s a beautiful journey just witnessing that. The first thing that I learnt from my son when he was a baby was when he was trying new things, things as simple as trying to get onto the bed, he would do it a hundred times. And I thought to myself, that even he, as a child, knows that to get it right, you have to keep persevering.
What do you like best about each other?
Varun: She is far more disciplined than I am and she has more of an eye for detail. There are so many times that I would just let certain things pass, but she would never do the same.
Rajeshwari: In these 10 years, we’ve grown to live with each other and have a family together. It’s our world, our comfort zone and I guess that’s the best thing.
And any quirk/trait about your partner that annoys you?
Varun: None at all!
Rajeshwari: Varun is a responsible man in the broader sense but in his day-to-day life, he needs to be reminded of things constantly. It’s like dealing with my son — I have to remind Varun of things just like I’d remind my child! So I think that is my 24x7 job with the two of them.
How do you spend time on sets in between shots?
Varun: On the sets of my show, Mere Angne Mein, I listen to music or read books on my Kindle.
Rajeshwari: I like to catch up on my sleep or else I like to read.
What’s been your favourite character among the ones your partner has portrayed?
Varun: I think she was brilliant in Laut Aao Trisha!
Rajeshwari: I loved the way he worked on his character, the look and his performance in Charas. It was a small part, but very impactful.
Rapid fire
First thing you do in the morning:
V: Get up!
R: Take a shower.
One thing you cannot do without:
V: Music
R: Food
Most prized possession:
V: My cricket kit
R: A chain gifted to me by my grandmother on my wedding, which she wore all her life and I had always wanted. She is in her 90s now and she still tells me, ‘You should have taken something new!’ But I truly treasure it.
If stranded on an island, three things you’ll definitely want with you:
V: Music, my Kindle and a bottle of good whisky.
R: My cellphone; my son, if possible, and loads of good music.
Current favourite song:
V: Anything from the 50s to the 70s.
R: Varun and I love old songs and just the other day, we were enjoying the song Ab Ke Baras from Bandhini.
One word to describe each other:
V: Unbelievable.
R: My husband — and everything that entails!
The last time you laughed your heart out:
V: Five minutes ago!
R: Recently, when my son was upset with me for not buying him his favourite toy and he complained to his grandfather!
