Ssharad Malhotra the popular and extremely loved actor in tinsel town is a happily married man today!!
Ssharad has given the TV viewing audience massive hits with his shows Banoo Main Teri Dulhann, Bharat Ka Veer Putra – Maharana Pratap, Kasam Tere Pyaar Ki. Ssharad Malhotra who is presently playing the lead in Musakaan got married to Delhi based fashion designer Ripci Bhatia recently.
As one of his first interviews to media after his marriage, Ssharad Malhotra got into a hearty, well-expressed interview with IWMBuzz.com wherein he talks about his wife, their common interests and his plans as husband.
Excerpts:
Congratulations on your marriage Ssharad Malhotra. How does it feel to put aside bachelorhood and become a family man?
Thank you. Honestly, I don’t see much of a difference now as it has barely been a week or so. I am at my work and she is busy with her work. Gradually, the feeling will sink in. Earlier, it was just my wardrobe and now it is our wardrobe. So the main difference is the sharing aspect which we are not used to as bachelors (smiles). The big difference is in sharing your own privacy and space. Earlier, I used to come home only to see my dog. Now the feeling is that there is someone waiting for me. All these years of my life, I have been for myself in Mumbai. So the thought that there is someone waiting at home refreshes me. It is good to have company of the spouse at home.
I believe that in addition to the girl providing a balance, the boy too needs to put in his bit to create this balance.
Tell us about your wife Ripci?
Everybody knows about her. She is a designer and she has got her own label. Touchwood, she is doing well. She will be resuming work very soon. She works for a global market and travels a lot. Her designs cater to every market. I love women who work in addition to maintaining their family and house. I believe that in addition to the girl providing a balance, the boy too needs to put in his bit to create this balance.
Once you are married you need to get more responsible as the man. It is not about coming home, just throwing your things down. It takes some time to adjust and it is normal for everybody. We both are adapting to each other. She is happy with the kind of work I do. I am extremely happy that she is a working woman. Our honeymoon will take sometime (smiles).
What is the best attribute in her?
Adaptability!! That is something really great in her. Also her child like innocence attracts me. Her pureness fascinates me.
What does she like the most about you?
Well, you need to ask her that (smiles). I think there will be quite a few things (laughs). It will be a long list for sure… Frankly she is still media shy. She is not from the industry. So she gets conscious the moment the cameras are out. However, I will make you talk to her soon.
You have not married a girl from the acting fraternity. Was that a decision made by you?
It just happened. There was nothing pre-planned in it. It just fell in place and I am glad that it feels good to know somebody outside the industry as well.
Marriage is not about two people getting together; it is about two families coming together. Now I have my family and there is another extended family.
What are plans now for the husband in Ssharad?
Plans would definitely be for making a family, in the sense making a house. Earlier, it used to be a bachelor pad. Now it needs to be a house. That transformation needs to be done majorly from my end also. When a woman is contributing, I think a guy too needs to contribute. That is one thing that I have understood with time. The feeling of being married is nice and I pray to God that it stays like this always.
I want to make sure she is comfortable. She has left her house and come. So it is very important for the girl to be comfortable. As the husband, I need to take care of that aspect. Marriage is not about two people getting together; it is about two families coming together. Now I have my family and there is another extended family. Ripci and my mother get along very well, touchwood.
Tell us about the most precious or memorable wedding moment of yours?
Honestly, there were so many moments. Everybody said that it was a typical Punjabi wedding with lot of dancing, bhangra and drinks.
But there was one moment, when I was putting the sindoor on her forehead; I literally froze for a mini second. The reason being that I have got married several times on screen, but when the pandit told me to keep the vermilion on her forehead, I actually froze. The feeling this time was for real. I had the feeling that it was happening for the first time and the last time for sure. Once I put the sindoor, I got this feeling that we both were sealed and belonged to each other. It was such an awesome moment for me. I was just looking at her face and her eyes were down, the feeling was surreal. Everything was happening around with people congratulating and few dancing. But at that moment I could see only her and nothing else. Everything else disappeared from my eyes.
Who is more romantic of you both, Ssharad Malhotra?
Definitely, I am more romantic. Everybody knows that. She is also awesome. My version is that I am more romantic. But if you ask her, she might say that she is more romantic (laughs). I think both of us are romantic in our own respective ways. Having said that, I am tad bit extra (laughs)!!
My mom is now in a very disbelief kind of state. She always thought I will keep evading the topic and never probably get married.
What are your thoughts on the institution of marriage?
Marriage is a beautiful and pious institution. Everybody should experience it. All my fraternity friends were there at my wedding, and a couple of them asked me about my feeling. I in fact told them that I feel great to be married.
Your family especially mom will be very happy. Tell us about it.
Yes, above everyone, my mom is elated. She always thought I will keep evading the topic and never probably get married. But touch wood, by the grace of God, everything happened well. My mom is now in a very disbelief kind of state. She is really happy. As I said, Ripci and my mom get along very well. And I get along with Ripci’s parents really well. So it is very important for all this to happen. We are one big happy family right now.
Ssharad Malhotra, what are plans for honeymoon?
Honeymoon, as I said, you guys are most welcome to be part of my honeymoon happening in Naigaon (laughs). Aap sab ka swagat hai, aaiye!!
Jokes apart, maybe sometime in June or July we will plan for it. I will want to take her out somewhere. Every bride will want to go out and seek some private time post marriage. The best part is that Ripci understands the nature of my work. She wants me to feel relaxed and then take her out.
She is really fascinated for a tour to Europe. I love India. I have no idea right now. You guys will get to know of it later.
Do you both have any interests in common? If so, what is that?
Eating. We are completely foodies. Yes, we both love to travel.
Will Ripci continue with her fashion career?
Yes, I certainly want her to work. It is not right for a man to stop a girl from working once she is married. Gone are the days where the man wants his wife to just sit at home. She is very passionate about her work. I am proud of the fact that she is working and doing so well.
Your acting career is going great. Now that you are married, will you look to explore more and spread your wings as actor?
Honestly, this is a lovely question!! Yes, since I am married now, I will want to experiment more, and get into newer territories. I will want to try my hand at web-series, films and even get into ads. I will want to be part of festival films. I have been doing television for 12-13 years and God has been very kind to me. All my shows have been major hits. And as you said, I will want to move on and do something more.
If there was something that was missing out in life, Ripci has kind of fit into the picture. Now the entire picture is complete.
Has Ripci seen your work as an actor, Ssharad Malhotra? Which is her favourite work of yours?
Yes, she has seen my work. Hopefully she finds me as a good enough actor. But yes, she has told me that she likes me as an actor. This is one question you should ask her. But she tells me that she has seen all of my shows. I think my first show Banoo Main Teri Dulhann is what she likes the most. She also watched Musakaan, but Dulhann will be special for her.
To sum it up, how does life look like post marriage, Ssharad Malhotra?
In one line if I say, I was a boy yesterday and today I have turned into a man. She completes me. If there was something that was missing out in life, Ripci has kind of fit into the picture. Now the entire picture is complete. My boyhood has now turned into manhood with her in my life. Though you all know that ‘I am a baccha at heart’… I want to be like that all my life…