Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actress Priya Ahuja has been married to the director of the show, Malav Rajda for 10 years now. The couple met on the sets of the show and Malav shares how he instantly fell for the actress. But, the duo kept it professional for almost six months before they became friends and finally got married in November 2011.
Malav said, “When I first came on the sets, there was some other actress, who was playing the role of Rita Reporter. After a few days, Priya joined and I got to know that she used to originally play the role. It took quite some time for us to break the director-actor equation and become friends. Initially, we used to talk about work, but she knew I liked her from day one. Then, one day, she hugged and wished me for Diwali and that’s when I got the courage to speak to her and get to know her better. Finally, after almost two years of knowing each other, I told Priya’s mother that I wanted to marry her. Now, it’s a decade of working and being together and we also have a son.”
Malav shares how the two keep their professional and personal lives separate. He says, “When I return home, I try and switch off from work and never discuss scenes with Priya. I have never told producer Asit Modi to cast Priya in any special episodes or recommended her to any other producer for a show. Priya also never asks for it. This way we avoid getting into each other’s professional lives.”
On her part, Priya says, “Malav is a very simple man. He is someone who does not go to parties or network. Also, I would prefer that he does not put in a word for my career. I would want to bag a project on merit. After so many years, I feel blessed that I found a husband like him.”
Talking about their relationship and their colleagues, she says, “The two of us enjoy having lunch together with the entire team on the sets. Many times I cook pasta or special dishes and send it in Malav’s tiffin for the entire team. A few years ago, I had my son and then the pandemic struck, so my track has been a little lesser than before, but I am very happy to be a part of this show.”
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