Rajeev Siddhartha and Kirti Kulhari may have occasionally shared glimpses of each other on social media, but they have largely kept their relationship away from public conversations. In an exclusive chat with us, Rajeev confirms that they have been together for around a year and a half.

Rajeev, who was recently seen in Musafir Cafe, shares, “We were introduced on the sets of Four More Shots Please! in 2017, and it’s quite funny that we hardly spoke to each other then. Perhaps it was because I’m an introvert and she tends to keep to herself as well. It was only during the last leg of the final season that we discovered each other. Perhaps we had to go through our individual journeys before we could meet at the right time. Maybe our frequencies match now. We like to keep our private lives private, but we don’t censor ourselves either. If we feel like sharing something, we do. Ultimately, we just want to live a normal life.”

Their shared interests have become an important part of their bond, particularly their love for acting and spirituality.

He says, “People may think they understand what an actor’s life is like, but only an actor truly knows how uncertain, exciting and, at times, difficult it can be. Kirti and I understand each other because we are in this field for the right reasons. We bonded over acting and spirituality, and both remain a big part of our conversations. We talk about performances and films because we genuinely enjoy them; for us, it isn’t just work. We both love the craft, and everything else that comes with it is secondary to us.”

Their shared profession, however, has not made their approaches to acting alike. “We have different perspectives and approaches to acting, and we respect each other’s space. If I ask her for advice, she gives it to me, and vice versa. Because of my theatre background, I enjoy rehearsing my lines irrespective of the project, even when I’m driving, walking or at the market. She sometimes tells me to relax, and I take that advice too,” he says with a smile, adding, “Kirti has just completed her first production, and we are both acting in it. She had her process and I had mine, but when we came together for our scenes, the result was beautiful. As long as the final performance is truthful, there is no need to interfere with each other’s process.”

For Rajeev, a relationship is also about retaining a sense of self while being present for the other person through life’s highs and lows.

He shares, “You can’t look for completeness in another person. You have to be complete within yourself, and perhaps only then can you find someone who is right for you. Both of us have learnt that life is not always a bed of roses. There will be ups and downs, and it is important not to become too elated when things are going well or too despondent when they are not. When one of us has a difficult moment, we are there for each other, offering support and perspective.”