iCraze Feb/March 17 Nakuul

As the popular thought goes, it takes a lot to be a celebrity couple. But Nakuul Mehta and his better half Jankee think otherwise. In their five years of marriage they have enjoyed every bit of their time together and have been able to live their lives just like a normal couple. In one of the rare conversations they have ever had, the artists spills the beans to Zeba Khan as we sit to explore their formula of being a happy couple.

What does it take to be a celebrity couple? Is it different from being a normal couple?

Nakuul: We live in a world of hashtags and emoticons and being branded a celebrity couple means nothing more than being categorized as a certain prototype. Both Jankee and I don't take any of these labels seriously. To make a relationship work, both partners need to put in the same effort which any other ordinary couple would. Yes, both having busy schedules does mean valuing the times we have together a lot more. We want to really maximize the time we have together.
Jankee: We don't live our lives wanting to be celebrities. We live our lives wanting to do all the normal things that every couple does. Our life is as normal as it can get. We have usual maid problems, discussions like what's to be cooked for lunch and dinner, I make Nakuul clean the house on his holidays and we basically do everything that any normal couple does.

What does marriage mean to you?
Nakuul: Extra set of parents for free and an extended family.
Jankee: Marriage is about companionship, friendship, love, care and respecting not
only your partner, but even the families. You have to be a team!

Does having a famous better-half puts the other person in a spot?
Jankee: Not at all. My husband is doing well in his career and it just makes me so proud that he's being able to live the life and do what he's always imagined.
Nakuul: Both Jankee and I enjoy the respect, love and privilege we earn individually and love that it overflows on most occasion to the other partner as well.

How do you deal with the constant public eye and speculation regarding relationships?
Nakuul: You just don't. You live each day as it comes with the desire to grow together in this wonderful journey called life.

How interested are the both of you in each other's professional life?
Nakuul: We are hands on with each other's larger professional journey. Obviously, on a daily basis Jankee doesn't know what I shoot, but she is also my biggest critic and watches my TV show each day. In the same way, I don't know exactly which city Jankee might be performing in but then Facebook check in helps. But more than that I know what is her larger goal, music wise as well as all that she wants to achieve.
Jankee: We have always been extremely supportive about each other's careers since the time we became friends. Nakuul has always pushed me to pursue my music and he constantly supports me in all that I do and create for my music channel.

What is the idea of unwinding?
Jankee: Hanging with my besties, exploring new restaurants in the city and of course, Netflix and chill.
Nakuul: Travelling, watching movies and sampling different cuisines and discovering secret joints to great food.

Tell us something about your first meeting and how things followed from there?
Nakuul: I recall first seeing Jankeein a dance class and I made sure I never stopped seeing her from thereon. It's been over a decade now.

When did you decide it's the time to settle down?
Jankee: Well, Nakuul decided to settle down with me the moment he saw me, but it took us some years before we actually took the step.
Nakuul: It was the most natural step in our relationship. There was never a doubt that that we both wanted to be together but just did not know when. On hindsight, I think it happened at just the right time.

How was the journey from first meeting to marriage? Were there any ups and downs?
Jankee: The journey has been great. We've known each other for more than half our lives. We've grown up together. He's been my best friend, my partner, my guide and now my husband. He has contributed to my life and to the person I am today in more ways that anyone could ever imagine. Of course, there are ups and downs in every relationship. But to sustain all that, not give up on each other and stick
together is what makes it all worth it.
Nakuul: Absolutely organic!

How do you resolve the general differences in day to day life?
Nakuul: I truly believe if there is genuine respect in the relationship, everything falls into place. Also, I have great patience and Jankee, the ability to let go. Both these qualities work beautifully together.
Jankee: He goes to work in the morning and we forget our fights when he's back in the night.

The most romantic experience you have ever shared?
Nakuul: Our stay at Khyber in Gul marg.

The best trip you have had?
Nakuul: Every trip we make together we feel is the best trip of our lives.
Jankee: Every trip we have done together has been great. Koh Samui, London, Paris , Prague, Bruges, Spain.

How compatible are you two of you?
Nakuul: 8/10
Jankee: I think we are pretty compatible for us to stick around together for so long.

Tell us about the most annoying habits of each other.
Nakuul: She is very messy and I am the opposite.
Jankee: He is always correct in whatever he does and also aware of it which can be prettying annoying. And he has this constant habit of putting the fan on the highest speed in whichever room he enters. That really annoys me.

One habit you love the most about each other.

Nakuul: Her ability to embrace people and her love for my family and all that she does for them.
Jankee: There are many. He is super hard working. His extreme dedication and commitment to each and everything that he does, his love and concern for each and every member of both our families.

Your favourite roles of Nakuul?
Cock (Play), Ishqbaaaz (TV show) and I Don't Watch TV' (Web series).