Comedian and Bollywood actor Maniesh Paul opened up about his love story, and all the struggles that he went through, to the Instagram page ‘Humans of Bombay’. Maniesh and his wife Sanyukta are childhood sweethearts and they beat many odds to be together.
How it all started
Image credit: Maniesh Paul via Instagram
Here is how it all went: “My first memory of Sanyukta was at this fancy dress competition in the 3rd grade–she’d dressed up as Mother Teresa and I, as Raj Kapoor. We’d known each other since nursery, but we hadn’t interacted–she was studious & I hated studying. But when I started taking tuition from her Mom, we bonded. I’d convince her to do all my homework; Sanyukta would happily do it. She was also the first one to know about my break ups! In 11th grade, once, when she & I were at the theatre, I got a call asking if I could host an event; I used to anchor part-time. I just left her there & ran to work. I thought she’d be mad, but she said, ‘It’s totally fine.’ That’s when I realised I had feelings for her. So, a few weeks later, I told her, ‘I like you.’ 3 days later, we were official! From then on, I’d go to Sanyukta’s house to meet her under the pretext of studying. Her Dad would tease me in Bengali, ‘Roz roz aa jata hai!’”
Sanyukta supported Maniesh through the tough times
Image credit: Maniesh Paul via Instagram
Maniesh revealed that Sanyukta was the one who suggested that he move to Bombay if he was serious about acting. He recounted: “After 12th, we went to different colleges. Still, we’d meet once a day. I remember telling her, ‘I want to be an actor.’ She said, ‘If you really want to be an actor, you should move to Bombay.’ So a week later, I moved here. While I struggled, Sanyukta backed me.”
The struggle continued after they tied the knot: “Finally, in 2006, I got a full-time job as an RJ. So, I told Sanyukta, ‘Let’s get married!’ We had a big fat Punjabi-Bengali wedding. After moving in with me, Sanyukta took up a job as a teacher; I was juggling my job & a few anchoring assignments. We barely got any time together, but she never complained… not once.”
Maniesh’s struggling days
Image credit: Maniesh Paul via Instagram
In 2008, he hit a low and Maniesh did not even have funds to pay the rent: “Then in 2008, I was jobless for a year–I didn’t even have the money to pay the house rent. But, Sanyukta took care of everything. She’d say, ‘Be patient–you’ll get a great opportunity soon.’ And a year later, it did; I bagged a TV serial. Things started picking up–I went on to do reality shows & award nights.”
Maniesh credits his wife and family for his success: “In 2011, we had a daughter and in 2016, a son. Finally I’m in a place where I can take time out for Sanyukta & my kids. And it’s a rule that I don’t talk about work on the dinner table. Sometimes, I wonder how I got so lucky? Without Sanyukta, I’d probably still be wondering what to do with my life. Or worse–failed my 10th grade! I am where I am only because of her.”
This love story is giving us all the feels as it shows how both real love can conquer all obstacles.
Lead credit: Maniesh Paul via Instagram
