Caught in Karjat with family amid the lockdown, Arjun Rampal on keeping his tot away from state's hotspots amid pandemic
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; April 22, 2020)

Not many can convert life's lemons to lemonades as seamlessly as Arjun Rampal can. Caught in Karjat where he was shooting when the lockdown was announced last month, the actor decided to extend his stay at his lavish home, instead of scurry back to Mumbai.

"I thought it would be better to operate from here instead of travel at this point. I have a house here, so it worked out well," says Rampal, who is accompanied by partner Gabriella Demetriades and their son, Arik.

That Karjat has, so far, remained largely unscathed by Coronavirus was another bonus. "We decided to stay back for my son's safety. While he is too young now, this will be a story to tell him when he grows older. Besides, Mumbai is just a few hours away, and hence, easily accessible in case of an emergency."

Spending two months in the lap of nature has converted him into "a farmer", of sorts, he jokes, adding that his family is making the most of the hiatus. "Since there are no cases here, we are secure. We have an open space and [are enjoying] being amid nature instead of confined to an apartment," says the actor, adding that he is also keeping tabs on his daughters Mahikaa and Myra, who are with ex-wife Mehr in Mumbai. "They are doing their work online, and I am constantly chatting with them."

Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; February 28, 2020)

Gabriella Demetriades came to Mumbai from South Africa to fulfil her dreams of starting a fashion line. Little did she know that this city would become her home, and she would comfortably settle down here with a partner and child. While she made a splash in the modelling world, she even did brief roles in a few Indian movies. In the midst of this, she met Arjun Rampal and their relationship blossomed over time. Around April 2019, they surprised everyone when Arjun posted a lovely picture of him with Gabriella showing her baby bump, with the message, “Blessed to have you and start all over again…thank you baby for this baby.” Now, while Gabriella is busy expanding her clothing line, she is also a hands-on mommy to seven-month-old baby boy, Arik. In a candid chat with Bombay Times, she talks about how she met Arjun, her thoughts on marriage and the way she’s made India her home. Excerpts:

What prompted you to pack your bags and move to India?
I’ve always had this ambition to be a successful fashion designer, like my mother. I began as an assistant stylist in South Africa. Later, a photographer spotted me and told me that I should try modelling. I looked at it as an opportunity to make money which I could use to fund my business. It was also a gateway to make contacts with people associated with the business, like models, photographers and other designers. During the process, I happened to meet someone from an Indian modelling agency in South Africa. He told me that I should come down to India as I would get great modelling opportunities here.

So, your prime motivation was to set up your fashion line, and not make your way into Bollywood as an actress? In the past, women from other countries have come to India to pursue a career in the movies...
Acting and Bollywood were never my aspiration, but fashion was. When I came to Mumbai, I didn’t even know what Bollywood was. While I was doing modelling here, my agent suggested that I try acting in a Bollywood movie. I had heard about the creepy side of Bollywood with women going through bad experiences. I was aware of it and was careful. When I was offered Sonali Cable (2014), I took the plunge. I liked the treatment that I received from the Sippy family (Ramesh and Rohan Sippy, the makers of the film). I had a great time with my co-stars on the set, too. I loved being in front of the camera, but the glitch was the language. I am very bad at learning new languages. Getting my lines in Hindi right, with hundreds of people staring at me, was very scary. I thought that maybe, this is not where I was supposed to be. But before deciding to quit movies, I wanted to be sure. So, I did a film down South with Nagarjuna and Tamannaah (Oopiri, 2016). It was an amazing experience, but language continued to be a big barrier. Finally, I bid adieu to movies. I am a creative person and I like to keep myself busy. So, I soon started my clothing line, which grew over a period of time.

While you were busy building a career here, how did you happen to meet Arjun Rampal?
We have a few mutual friends, so, I ended up meeting him at social occasions along the way. The first time I met him was in 2018. We hit it off from there, and with time, the relationship blossomed into something meaningful. Arjun is a gentleman. Our love for work, creativity, ambition and fitness are the things that we have in common. We both are also very family oriented.

Arjun is an actor and a producer, has there been any discussion on you getting back to the movies?
He tells me that I am a bad actor (laughs!). I doubt he has seen any of my movies. In fact, he has been very supportive towards my fashion endeavour. He has been a supermodel himself for many years and is incredibly stylish. He has a great taste in fashion and is always on the lookout for what I am creating and wearing. I value his opinion. Having said that, we don't mix our workspace or interfere in each other’s profession.

How has Arjun helped you in adapting to the culture and life in Mumbai?
Since I am from another country, I would feel lost and left out during the festive season, as I couldn’t understand what was going on. Arj is a proud Indian and he celebrates all festivals. It is only after I started spending time with him that I celebrated Holi, Diwali and other festivals. Before that, I was clueless about these celebrations. What I like about India is that it embraces and accommodates people from all over the world.

You fondly call him Arj, what does he call you?
(Laughs!) This is a South African thing. We kind of abbreviate everything. Back home, my family and friends call me Gab. Arjun doesn’t call me Gab, as he loves my name, so he calls me Gabriella.

Arjun and you decided to have a child without tying the knot. This is still a rarity in our country. Weren’t you worried about societal pressures?
We wanted to keep things private. Also, I am very different in that sense. I don’t think you necessarily have to get married. I think there is no ‘one way’ to always do something; to each their own. Yes, there is societal pressure, but personal choices are important. When it comes to deciding what gender you want to be, who you want to date or marry, it should be left to the individual or individuals concerned. Just like in other parts of the world, people here, too, are opening up and accepting others’ choices. I have always been accepting of others and their choices, so hopefully, the world will accept mine.

What do you think about the institution of marriage?
I don’t have a strong opinion about it. It is just my choice. I don’t think we need to be so serious about everything. I don’t think love is something that needs a definition or a rulebook. Times are changing and people are more accepting today. I don’t think that people are categorising any one particular way of living as the right way anymore.

What are Arjun’s thoughts on this? Have you discussed the idea of tying the knot, if not right away, but probably someday?
It is a topic that doesn’t really come up between us.

You named your son Arik, who came up with that name?
In Sanskrit, Arik means ruler of rulers. We were looking for a name that’s easy to pronounce. I think it is a very strong name that is short and easy to pronounce for my family and friends who are not from India. I wanted to name him Ari, which is a Hebrew name. Then, Arjun came up with the name Arik.

Are both of your very hands-on with him?
Motherhood is a full-time job, and I am happy about how Arjun and I divide the work when it comes to the baby and help each other out.

New mom Gabriella Demetriades talks Arjun Rampal, getting back into shape, and why her son is the best thing in her life
Aastha Atray Banan (MID-DAY; August 25, 2019)

It's been just a month since South African model Gabriella Demetriades gave birth to baby boy Arik Rampal, and the new mother is glowing. Dressed in cargos and a white vest, she doesn't even need make-up to look dewy fresh, when we meet her at her clothing store, Deme by Gabriella, in Bandra on a hot Thursday evening. The post-baby weight is almost out of the door, but she says, she still has 10 kg to go. "I lost 11 kg as I was leaving the hospital, as Arik was almost 5 kg. Since then, I have been breastfeeding, so I am not on any special diet, but I am eating healthy and nutritious food. I never stopped working out anyway. My water broke while I was playing tennis," says the 32-year-old, who says she had been doing yoga and working out throughout the nine months.

Demetriades and actor Arjun Rampal, 46, had been dating for a year when the stunning model took to Instagram and announced her pregnancy on April 23 this year (see picture below). She posted a black and white picture of herself and Rampal, with her baby bump visible, and captioned it "Grateful for you two. Can't wait to meet you". Today, she looks content, happy and very much at peace with her life. "I was never one of those people who thought of having a baby. I am actually the youngest of my friends, and we would have conversations such as 'ok, is it time to have a baby yet?'. I would even look at people having babies, and think 'I don't know if I want to do this'. But it all happened very organically, and it may sound like a cliche now, but it's the best thing that's ever happened to me. I used to think I was in love [with Rampal], but then Arik happened..." she laughs.

Speaking of love, the baby mama, who admits to freaking out about the baby, says it was Rampal who kept her sane. "All during the pregnancy, which was hard, my mother would tell me, 'wait till you see the baby'. While Arjun has done this before, and so, was calm, and was with me every step of the way, I didn't have a reference point. I think he is going to be a great dad. He is so hands-on that sometimes I say 'give me my son back'," she says of Rampal, who has two teenage daughters, Mahikaa and Myra, with former model Mehr Jesia, with whom he is separated. The girls, Demetriades says, can't get enough of their baby brother. "They love him. I see the relationship they have with Arjun, and it's one of respect but they are friends too. I wish to have the same one with Arik when he grows up." Ask her what Arik means and she says it means ruler of rulers, but then laughs, "That doesn't mean we think our baby is the ruler of rulers. But Arjun being such a nationalist, said 'I want my baby to have a Hindu name', and I wanted something that was easy for my family to pronounce, so we settled on Arik. But now, people are asking me 'is it Eric?'," she says.

For now, her life revolves around her son, whom she spends the bulk of her mornings with, and her other baby—work as a model and designer. If she was going through business reports in the hospital, she is now back in action, taking meetings and getting things done. She sums up, "I think having a baby makes you a nicer person, for a while at least. But it also makes you more disciplined, because you now have this person, who becomes a priority, and you will shape up your life around them."

BOMBAY TIMES (July 29, 2019)

Congratulations and good wishes poured in for Arjun Rampal and Gabriella Demetriades as they revealed the name of their son, who was born on July 18. The two named the newborn Arik Rampal and Arjun wrote a heartfelt post on Instagram for ‘junior Rampal’. He wrote, “That gracious thing made of tears, of happiness, gratitude and light. A rainbow appeared into our lives. So blessed we feel, gratitude and abundance of joy. Welcome junior Rampal, into our lives. Thank you all for your graciousness, love and beautiful wishes. Say hello to baby Arik Rampal.”

The post was accompanied by a picture of Arik gently wrapping his hand around his proud father’s finger. Arjun and South African model Gabriella announced the pregnancy back in April with a social media post.