Itishree Mishra (BOMBAY TIMES; February 1, 2018)

 As Iulia Vantur walked confidently into a hotel on Sunday in a peach dress, the Romanian TV host-singer looked quite comfortable and relaxed, greeting everyone warmly. She was unperturbed by the curious glances of many who wanted to catch a glimpse of Salman Khan’s alleged girlfriend. In a chat with us, she spoke about her love for India and why she doesn’t want people to label her or her relationships.

You’ve made India your second home... what do you like best about this country?
It’s beautiful. It’s a challenging experience for me because I have to learn so many things. But I enjoy all this learning process and I love Indian culture and the warmth of its people. I think it’s a life-changing experience for me. Living in a different country with a different mentality is not easy. Of course, there are quite a few similarities, in the way we girls grew up, for instance. The fact that the family bonding is so strong. You know, the kids might be living somewhere away from their parents but they still keep that bonding. That’s very important because it gives you stability in life and a base because there’s nothing more important than having your dear ones near you, right? When you feel weak, when you are down, if you have your family next to you, if you have a brother-sister, I think it’s amazing. I’m the only child, so I understand even more what it means to have close bonds and relationships.

On your first visit to India, you visited Rishikesh. Tell us more about that visit.
I had heard about the place from several people that it is very beautiful and serene. I’m very passionately curious about my personal development. I want to grow as a person because I know that’s the most important thing in your life – to be a better person with every passing day of your life. No matter what your job is, no matter how much money you have in your account or even if you don’t, to become a better person, that one can do, without money, without power without any other advantages. I think that was my first goal, to become a better person in life. So, I searched for places that help you to go on that path, so Rishikesh was one of them. I had heard about it too, from friends and people who had been there. And honestly, I wanted to see what was it like living in an ashram. It was so beautiful!

So, do you visit the ashram often?
No, I don’t go back very often. But I would love to go back. Actually, now that you’ve reminded me, I will. I think it’s a very good idea, thank you for reminding me. (laughs)

You must have had some idea of India before you came here. Is what you’ve seen and experienced here so far better than what you had imagined it to be?
Yes, but what I have discovered here is so much more than I had thought of ever. The first time when I was here, I remember I loved it so much that when I had to go back to Romania, I was crying. The vibe, the energy, the bonding that I had with this land was so strong that I was like, ‘Okay, I actually should come back here.’ I knew that I would come back here, yet I was crying while going back. So I came back, I came back many times!

How has having friends like Salman Khan helped you feel more comfortable here in India?
It means a lot to have good friends and good people around you. I discovered so many beautiful things because of these people. It feels good to have someone who can teach you things about the culture, who can show you another world, right? Salman’s family, for instance, is such a beautiful family, it’s perfect. They are an example for everyone to follow. And the amount of good work they do, every single day. Not just feeding people, they help people in whatever way they can. Medical camps, and so many other ways in which they all help anyone they feel is in need.

Are you happy that people now also know you as Iulia rather than just Salman Khan’s friend?
I’m happy with myself, anyway. I know the value that I give to myself because I know who I am and what I am capable of, and the people who are close to me know who and what I am. Perhaps better than me. So yeah, people can put labels, we tend to do these things. But after some time I think, we remove that label and we see the person. So I would like people to know me Iulia, as I am, without these labels.

What do you have to say about Salman?
What can I say about him? He is a beautiful human being and we all can learn from him.

How’s the music going on? Have you started learning Indian classical music?
Oh, that’s going very well. Yes, I have started learning music and I really enjoyed it. I enjoy the whole process. I never thought I’ll love it so much. But I really love to spend time in the studio, I love to jam with Vishal and other friends. I spend a lot of time in the studio when we’re jamming, recording or playing a new song. I love it.