TV actor Kshitee Jog opens up about finding love on stage, marrying co-star Hemant, and their journey from colleagues to soulmates

TV actor Kshitee Jog has played the mother of Ranveer Singh with great conviction in Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani. And to think that Kshitee is only two years older than Ranveer Singh. In the film, Kshitee plays the role of a suppressed wife who, encouraged by her son, finds her voice at the tail end of the film. But in real life, Kshitee is a happily married, independent career woman. Her husband is an actor too.

Q. How and when did you meet your husband Hemant?

A. Hemant and I met while we were working on a Marathi play Savadhan Shubhmangal. We were paired opposite each other.

Q. What was the initial reaction when you met him?

A. I had already seen his work in a Marathi play and was very impressed by him, and therefore was very happy that I would get to work with him.

Q. Who played Cupid?

A. No one. On second thoughts, the play played Cupid.

Q. What was the ice-breaker?

A. There was no ice to break. We were a good team—Swati Chitnis, Suhas Joshi, Rajan Bhise, Hemant, and I—so we had a lot of fun.

Q. What are the qualities that you find attractive in him?

A. He is honest, ambitious, hardworking, and most importantly, he is a good human being.

Q. Who took the initiative to get to know the other?

A. It’s hard to tell. Actually, both of us did. Once, when I missed my rehearsal, I chatted with Hemant for an entire day. Yes, entire day! I think something clicked that day.

Q. Where did you guys go for your first date?

A. Our first official date was at Novotel’s sea-facing restaurant.

Q. Did he bring flowers for you?

A. No, he didn't get any flowers, but I gave him a perfume.

Q. Who said ‘I love you’ first?

A. I don’t remember.

Q. How many years did you guys date each other till you both decided to marry?

A. We started dating in September 2011 and got married in December 2012. Within a month of dating, we knew we wanted to marry each other.

Q. How did he propose marriage?

A. He didn’t; we told each other, “Let’s marry,” while we were in the car waiting for the signal to go green.

Q. Was there any opposition when you’ll decided to marry?

A. None. Both our families were happy. We thought there would be some opposition as I am 3 years older than him, but it was smooth.

Q. Would you guys fight during your courtship days?

A. We fought after our marriage for a year almost.

Q. Who apologises first after a fight?

A. It depends on who is wrong. Nobody apologises when they are not in the wrong.

Q. Do you believe that one must not sleep over a fight?

A. Absolutely. It’s a mantra given to me by Swati Chitnis.

Q. Since both of you are actors, if he criticises your performance or vice-versa, do you’ll take it in the right spirit?

A. Absolutely. We are each other’s biggest critics and loudest cheerleaders.

Q. Do yourll give career advice to each other?

A. Of course, we do.

Q. Who is more possessive?

A. No one. We are very secure in the relationship.

Q. Who is more short-tempered?

A. I am.

Q. Who is the spendthrift?

A. Hemant.

Q. How has the relationship changed from the time you both were girlfriend-boyfriend to husband-wife?

A. After 13 years of marriage, we are better friends than we were earlier. We are secure in the relationship.

Love for me is: Respect, honesty, and understanding.