Gauri-Hiten Set To Wed
(27 April 2004 3:30 pm)
MUMBAI: Gauri Pradhan and Hiten Tejwani, the duo that strode into the limelight as the star crossed couple in Balaji Telefilms' Kutumb on SET, are set to tie the knot in real life at a Pune hotel on 29 April.
Hiten and Gauri are ready to take the plunge into real life matrimony.The two, who also did a Kya Haadsa Kya Haqeeqat series (also a Balaji production on SET) are currently acting together in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (also Balaji, but on Star Plus) where Gauri plays Nandini and Hiten plays Karan. While Karan may not get Nandini in reel life, courtesy Ansh, he is all set to make it ring true in real life.
The stage is set for a Maharashtrian style shaadi. "Gauri is a Pune girl, so it was quite natural that we would have the shaadi there," said Hiten, speaking to indiantelevision.com this morning.
Fine, but why not a Sindhi wedding? Laughs Hiten, "I didn't want to have an ostentatious wedding ceremony. I have always believed in simplicity and I was very particular on that."
While speculation on the Gauri - Hiten relationship has been rife in industry circles, both of them had vehmently denied the rumours initially. "We didn't want too much to be written about us until D-day. It's always better to say things when they actually happen," says Hiten, whose simplicity was what attracted Gauri, he says.
While Hiten will wear a sherwani for the pheras, Gauri (who was off screen for quite some time after Naam Gum Jayega on SET last year lived up to its name rather too soon) will drape a yellow coloured typically Maharashtrian saree for the occasion.
The couple will fly to Bangkok for a short six-day honeymoon. "We have adjusted our shooting dates" says Hiten, who is also acting in Kkoi Dil Mein Hai on SET. "We will come back on 6 May and have a reception in Mumbai."
Actors Gauri Pradhan and Hiten Tejwani on their on-screen chemistry that translated into an off-screen relationship
About the Couple
The daughter of a retired Army Major, the Maharashtrian beauty moved from Pune to Mumbai to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. Besides pursuing her roles in TV serials, Gauri whose other passion is psychology is doing a course in counseling and hopes to set up practice as a counselor soon. Sindhi dude Hiten hails from Borivili in Mumbai. He has done numerous modeling and television assignments and has acted in "Joggers Park" and "Krishna Cottage".
How they Met
The beautiful pair met in Hyderabad at the shooting of a commercial for 'Breeze' soap; later on, they were cast together in the television serials Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Kutumb, and their reel romance translated into real-life romance too. "The fact that people kept saying we make a wonderful couple on television really helped, and we soon realized that we'd make a wonderful couple off-screen too", quip the models turned successful actors.
A Simple Affair
The wedding was held on the morning of April 29, 2004. The venue was Pune's Sun-n-Sand Hotel and was conducted as per Maharashtrian customs. Says Gauri: "All the arrangements were made by my parents and it was a simple affair with 40-50 close friends and relatives. Thanks to the fact that my parents were doing everything, I only had to take care of buying my clothes and accessories. Of course, I had to help Hiten with buying his stuff too. Since my parents were in Pune, and I had a hectic shooting schedule my close friends actress Mayoori Kango and journalist Arshiya Kapadia helped me co-ordinate the shopping bit."
The Reception
Says Hiten: "We also wanted a quiet and simple celebration without too much noise or fanfare. And since we didn't invite too many friends or professional acquaintances for the wedding, the reception at Juhu's Army Club on May 9, 2004 was a relatively big affair with over 400 guests. We didn't have a stage-like setting, but were at the entrance and mingled with all the guests. The dcor was simple and the menu included a Mughlai spread and some Chinese dishes."
What they Wore
For the morning pheras Gauri wore a yellow georgette sari with kundan and pink zardozi work that she teamed with a pink blouse and a pink dupatta that covered her head. "I picked the creation from Jaipur, a popular boutique in Juhu, that sources creations from Rajasthan, I really like their stuff and my friend Mayoori (hyper-link to article on Mayoori) also picked her bridal wear from there. I accessorised it with an antique gold set and Pandhari Jhuker, the veteran make-up artist did my make-up. Hiten wore a cream churidar kurta for the pheras." For the reception in Mumbai, Gauri picked an orange and rani pink lehenga from Hauz Khas, a boutique on Juhu Tara Road. Hiten wore a suit from Mumbai's Shoppers Stop.
Life after Marriage
After the wedding the newlywed beach lovers spent a relaxing week at Kohsamui, a beautiful island located an hour away from Bangkok. They now live in Andheri's Oshiwara area in the same flat which Gauri and her actress friend Mayoori Kango shared earlier. "Since we are both leading a very hectic schedule, we haven't had time to locate a new place yet but will do so soon", says Tejwani who now makes special efforts to finish his shooting schedule early and come home by 10 p.m. every night.
A love story straight out of a TV serial
Love's ways are truly strange! The small screen's hit pair, Hiten Tejwani and Gauri Pradhan, fell in love in real life too and tied the knot last year. They narrate their love story to SRABANTI CHAKRABARTI.
Their love story was a soap opera in more ways than one. The duo met for the first time while shooting for a soap commercial. They came close to each other during the making of another soap (Kutumb). And, finally entered the nuptial bond, while their pair was at the zenith of popularity of another soap (Kyun Ki Sans Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi)!
It seems, the chemistry of love and the physics of attraction were working overtime with Gauri Pradhan and Hiten Tejwani a.k.a. Nandini and Karan of Kyun Ki Sans Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. How else could one explain the two coming together, when there were very few things similar between the couple?
Says Hiten, "It was definitely not love at first sight for us. The first time we met during the shooting for a soap commercial, we hardly spoke to each other. Our exchanges were limited to pleasantries."
"At that point in time, Hiten was just a co-worker and nothing else," says the tall and gorgeous Gauri, while chatting with Hiten on the sets of Kyun Ki Sans Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. In fact, after their initial ad shoot together, both went their own ways without even keeping in touch. Till Ekta Kapoor cast them as the lead couple in her mega-serial Kutumb.
Probe further, and you'll find Gauri blush, "I could understand that Hiten wanted to talk to me, but I restrained myself. But I must admit that when I saw him on the sets of Kutumb on the first, I did feel comfortable. I felt nice that I would be doing the daily soap with someone I knew. He was, at least, not a stranger." Though the lead couple went on shooting for Kutumb regularly, they never came close to each other in the first six months. "We worked like thorough professionals - came on time, shot for the episodes and went back home on time," clarifies Gauri.
Cupid struck in true filmi style when Hiten fell ill on a day during a shot. "I was running a temperature and she somehow realised that. Immediately Gauri called me and enquired how I was planning to go back. I told her that I would drive back home," recollects Hiten. The caring Gauri took over at this point and told Hiten - nothing doing, her driver would go and drop him home. "There was something in the way she said it'I couldn't say no. To be frank, that is when I understood - Gauri nursed some special feelings for me."
So what happened next? All you get in response to this question is charming and shy smiles in return from the popular couple. "It just happened'" is what both of them have to say.
But what made this happen? This time the answer is not so vague. Says Hiten, "Gauri is like a coconut - hard from outside, but soft inside. She looks as if she is very snob, but deep down she has a golden heart. That is what attracted me towards her." Gauri adds her bit immediately, "Hiten is a genuine guy and is friendly with everybody - be it the spot boy or the director. He is liked by everybody and tries to do good for everyone. And in the process suffers a lot. But that is how he is. Primarily, it was this genuineness that appealed to me."
"Actually, there was one more reason why I married her. Gauri's mother cooks amazingly tasty fish curry. And I really love fish. So'" Hiten adds with a childish smile.
A couple poles apart
Gauri Pradhan and Hiten Tejwani are one of tellywood's most loved celeb couples. They first met for the shoot of a commercial and later on, they were cast together in serials like Kkutumb and Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi where their reel romance translated into real-life romance!
It's been two years to their marriage and they can still easily pass off as newly weds. In fact, their chemistry and tuning is very much evident in Nach Balliye 2, which is currently helping them garner public votes!
Anil Merani caught up with Hiten-Gauri for a quick tete-e-tete to find out the secret to their enduring romance!
You had a two year long courtship, did you agree to Hiten's proposal easily?
-Gauri: No I really made him sweat! He had to go through the entire tried and tested formula of wining, dinning and giving flowers. He also made repeated requests for marriage and finally I had pity on him and said yes (laughs).
-Hiten: Yes, it was not an easy ride for me. But imagine if she had consented quickly, there would have been no fun in courting her! I am a traditional guy, who believes that one must keep pursing his love, till she says yes.
Since this is Hiten's second marriage, Gauri were you uncomfortable with that?
-Gauri: See it would have been a a problem, if he had not told me. The fact is I am liberal and broad minded. My only fear was about whether my folks would accept him; which after some cajoling, they finally did.
Was there any fear of taking the plunge for the second time?
-Hiten: No. See marriage is about compatibility, which Gauri and me share big time.
It has also been two years of marriage. Have you ever thought of starting a family?
-Both: See a decision to start a family is not something which can be taken in haste. One needs to take into various factors like career and time. Hence, post NB 2 when we have the time, we will surely give it a serious thought.
How important is space for both of you?
-Gauri: Very important for me but not for Hiten. He loves to be in the company of people, while I often feel the need to withdraw into my personal corner. But having said that after marriage, I literally had to throw Hiten out of the house to meet his friends. I told him 'please don't ignore them as then you might lose company of friends which you need'.
Who makes the first move to patch up after a miya-biwi ruffle?
-Gauri: It's him. Hiten is always the first one to come forward and say sorry. So sweet na?
-Hiten: What's wrong in apologizing? Tiffs happen in all marriages. Why let your ego spoil such a beautiful relationship?
Hiten cook?
-Gauri: Good God, no! I don't want my kitchen to look like a disaster zone. That's one place in our house, where his entry is barred.
-Hiten: Yes baba, I admit that I can't cook for nuts. But then at times I do make nice tea and boiled eggs for Gauri early in the morning. It's the thought that counts more than the action (laughs). She's a very good cook and I simply adore the fish curry she makes.
Does Hiten buy you clothes?
-Gauri: What, shopping for me! I have to buy for him too! I don't trust his style.
-Hiten: See the reason she shops for me is that firstly, I don't have time and secondly, I trust her dressing sense implicitly. As for shopping for her goes, when we go out together, and I spot an outfit, which I think will suit her, we buy it. I don't believe in giving gifts, just for sake of it!
So Gauri, what is the best gift you have given your hubby?
-Gauri: My self! What can be so important than me?
One very good quality about your partner.
-Gauri: He's very honest and straight forward.
-Hiten: She is caring and loving.
One trait of your partner that you can't stand?
-Gauri: He simply can't keep his things in the right place. But then it's a guy thing!
-Hiten: She should learn to control her temper.
One character played by your partner that you like the most.
-Hiten: Gauri in Kutumb
-Gauri: Karan in Kyun Ki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.
Which destination would be your ideal romantic vacation?
-Both: Working in daily soaps hardly leaves you with time for yourself. So how do we plan a vacation? But if given a chance, we surely will go for a nice romantic getaway to either Sri Lanka or Maldives. We love isolated beaches.
Edited by brindamarfatia - 12 years ago
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