Love at first sight
Ripudaman Handa and Shivangi Verma talk about how love makes the world go round for them
By : natasha coutinho
Update: 2015-10-25 00:04 GMT
Shivangi Verma (who is currently seen in Reporters) and former Masterchef winner Ripudaman Handa have a love story that is straight out a movie. Family friends to start off with, Ripudaman pursued Shivangi for two years, before she finally consented to go out with him! After that, however, there has been no looking back for this couple whose strong bond was seen in a previous season of Nach Baliye. In a chat with us, Ripu and Shivangi talk about matters of the heart…
How did the two of you meet?
Shivangi: Our mothers were kitty party friends. She (Ripu’s mom) would come over to our place and I first met Ripu in the garden of our building.
Ripu: Yes, we met through our families. Our mothers were friends before we became friends.
So, what were your first impressions of each other?
Shivangi: I didn’t like him initially! He would come to the park every evening. He was really fat back then! But we were friends.
Ripu: I saw her in the park and it was love at first sight for me. I pursued her since then.
How did Cupid strike?
Shivangi: Well, we were friends for two years. He would propose to me every day — from the time I was in school! I finally said yes when I got to college.
Ripu: Yeah, I think we were in college when she finally said yes to my proposal. I tried everything possible to impress her!
How did you convince both your families?
Shivangi: My parents were more than happy to know about our relationship. Ripu had come to meet my family and they had an hour-long conversation and my family was pretty convinced (that we are right for each other).
Ripu: Our parents were friends already, so they said that if the kids are happy, then we are happy.
Have you thought about what you want your wedding to be like?
Shivangi: Kochi is a beautiful place. I’ve been there before and really want our wedding to happen there.
Ripu: She wants a destination wedding in Kochi and I agree with her.
What’s been the most special memory for the two of you?
Shivangi: We’ve had lots of special memories, but something that’s really close to my heart is from our early days together… I used to tell him, what will I tell my parents? That the guy I like is doing absolutely nothing? So he joined a gym and then became a trainer. And then when I again said, how will I tell my folks that the guy I like is a gym trainer, he redoubled his efforts and went ahead to become the owner of the gym. I was bowled over.
Ripu: My fondest memory is of when she cooked for me the first time… it was super special for me. She has no interest in cooking, but she did it for me.
Working in the TV industry, how do the two of you find time for each other?
Shivangi: We manage… His work is difficult, very difficult. He does not get time. But we message. And I visit him after pack-up.
Ripu: We make time after shoots.
What do you hope the future hold for you?
Shivangi: We have been together before joining this industry. We’ve both moved ahead in our careers… I don’t know what the future holds but we will go with the flow.
Ripu: I have thought of many special things for Shivangi in the near future, which will be revealed over time.
Rapid fire:
One thing you like about each other:
S: His understanding.
R: Her trust.
An annoying habit your partner has:
S: He eats a lot of onions!
R: The amount of time she takes to get ready to go out.
A song that reminds you of each other:
S: Every Ranbir Kapoor song.
R: Jeena Jeena from Badlapur.
Who is the first to break the ice after a fight?
S: That would be me. I cannot stand arguments.
R: It depends, but most of the time, it is her.
One thing you cannot do without:
S: Spring rolls
R: Food