Romit Raj came to the audience’s attention with Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyaan and is currently seen in the show Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi. On the personal front, Romit is happily married to Tina Kakkar and a new dimension was added to their togetherness with the birth of their daughter Rehaa. In an interview with us, Romit and Tina talk about how love blossomed after they met on Facebook and why each completes the other.
Romit, Tina, how did the two of you meet?
Romit: We met on Facebook through a common friend.
What were your first impressions of each other?
Romit: She’s such an intelligent, beautiful girl and for me, it was love at first sight. Everything that I wanted in my spouse — I have in her.
Tina: Romit was the one I was waiting for and in him, I truly felt that God had answered my prayers.
Tell us how Cupid struck?
Romit: Tina and I got married within three months (of meeting each other) and we decided to get married on the very first day that we met each other in Pune. I think God wanted us to meet like this in Pune, through Facebook. It’s destiny… I never thought I would marry a person without actually knowing her.
Tina: Cupid struck in our initial conversations itself when we realised there was so much we had in common and that all our boxes were being ticked. Both of us are from Kolkata, we’re Punjabis, we have similar family backgrounds, similar upbringings and our common love for acting and films did wonders.
How did you convince both the families?
Romit: I still ask my father-in-law, ‘How, on just meeting me once, did you decide to give Tina’s hand to me?’ I know for sure that I will scan and ask 1,000 questions to my daughter’s boyfriend in the future!
Tina: There was no need to convince the families — they were convincing us to get married quickly while we wanted to enjoy some courtship.
What are your fondest memories from the wedding?
Romit: I think the kanyadaan ritual was memorable as I feel it’s a new beginning for both the bride and the groom equally. I think that if there is a kanyadaan then there should be a kuvardaan as well. Why should we term it kanyadaan when the girl is getting married? I think women are far more independent and responsible as compared to men. Another memorable moment was when I put sindoor on Tina for the first time.
Tina: Every moment was special. I always wanted a poolside wedding — and my parents did give me a dream wedding. Also, I have never enjoyed any other sangeet as much as I did my own and also, Romit and I danced the most! It all seemed like a Bollywood film. Also, the moment when I had to leave, the bidaai — we did that very quickly — I think Romit and my dad did that purposely, which was good.
How has becoming parents changed your lives?
Romit: Becoming a parent has changed me for the better as I think twice before every decision. I choose to put my family first every time. I am a family man and my decisions are very collectively taken.
Tina: A lot… Romit was by my side during the birth of our daughter. It was the most beautiful moment of my life. I believe she (Rehaa) is my older sister who has come back to me. I lost my older sister when I was five. She is everything to me.
Rapid fire
Nicknames for each other:
Romit: I call Tina, Bubu.
Tina: My nickname for Romit is, Raj.
One thing you like about each other:
Romit: That she loves me unconditionally.
Tina: His simplicity.
An annoying habit your partner has:
Romit: Tina will say the same thing 10 times, which annoys me! And if I am reading the newspapers or watching TV, then I don’t pay attention to what she is saying, which bothers her.
Tina: He gets angry when he’s hungry! He needs to learn how to be a bit more patient.
Is there a song that reminds you of your partner?
Romit: Tujhe Dekha from DDLJ.
Tina: Tum Mile.
Who is the first to break the ice after a fight?
Romit: Most of the time, it’s Tina.
Tina: I need to make up — 10 minutes (of fighting) is enough!
One thing you cannot do without:
Romit: I have to spend a few minutes chatting with Tina when we’re alone during the day.
Tina: Each other.
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