The singer-actor shares that she and Switzerland-based restaurateur Maik Richter got married in an intimate ceremony in Mumbai in 2017 and have been waiting for the right time for a public announcement and celebration
Amrita Prasad (BOMBAY TIMES; June 11, 2020)

Just a day after Monali Thakur teased her fans with a new music video on social media, the Sawaar Loon singer told us that she had tied the knot with her Switzerland-based boyfriend Maik Richter in 2017. Interestingly, Maik also features in the music video. Monali says, “I haven’t made it official on social media yet, but people had already guessed it. A couple of times when my ring was mistakenly visible in my Instagram photos, a lot of people commented asking if it was my wedding ring. That said, Maik and I have successfully been able to hide our marriage for three years!”

The singer, who is currently in Switzerland, living with Maik and his family, says the reason why the couple didn’t make it public was that they didn’t have a conventional wedding and had been looking for an appropriate occasion to get married publicly. “The news of my marriage will come as a shock to many as none of my industry friends were aware or invited. We kept delaying the ceremony and announcement and three years just passed by,” says Monali, adding, “Mujhe pata hai bahot gali padne wali hai logon se, but I think when we have our wedding ceremony and invite people for the celebrations, they won’t be upset anymore.” Although the couple doesn't have a date in mind for the public ceremony yet, Monali says they will definitely think about it once things are better.

Maik, who is a sports enthusiast and restaurateur, fell in love with Monali almost instantly. “I met him during my trip to Switzerland and we clicked instantly,” says Monali. She also adds that she and Maik share a common love. “He loves food and, being a Bong, I love food, too,” she laughs. Ask her what Maik loves about her and she replies, “He loves the fact that I am an independent person.”

Monali left for Switzerland to be with her boyfriend, Maik Richter, before the nationwide lockdown was announced
Ismat Tahseen (BOMBAY TIMES; April 10, 2020)

On March 13, a few weeks before the nationwide Coronavirus lockdown was announced, singer Monali Thakur left for Switzerland to be with her Swiss-German boyfriend, Maik Richter. The two had first met when Monali was on a vacation with her gal pals in 2016.

Talking to BT from Lauterbrunnen, the Moh Moh Ke Dhaage singer says, “I figured that there would be a lockdown with the way things were going. I wanted to first take care of my family in India, so I stocked up on provisions, medicines, etc for them and then left for Switzerland.”

Elaborating on how she is spending time against the beautiful backdrop of the Swiss Alps, Monali shares, “We are not homebound like how it is in India. Though we do not have any restaurants, pubs or public areas open except for groceries, banks, hospitals, postal services etc, we can step out. So, I’m biking all day, and I love cycling through the mountains by myself. It is so amazing, being amidst nature. When I’m not outdoors, I record songs in the home studio here. I’m also cooking for my better half.”

About the dishes she is cooking up for her boyfriend, Monali says, “I’m having fun experimenting in the kitchen. I cook a lot of Indian dishes, like dal, which my extended family loves. Maik is also fond of Indian spices, but the ones that are available here have a firang touch. So, we are missing our Indian spices.” She adds, “Maik’s family has a big farmhouse here. Since it’s in the mountain region, it’s peaceful.”

So, are there plans for a wedding this summer? “You never know, it could be next summer. I’ll definitely share more on that whenever it happens,” she signs off.

Reza Noorani (BOMBAY TIMES; November 10, 2018)

When you’re out on a vacation, you don’t really know when it could turn into a romantic adventure. For the Moh Moh Ke Dhaage singer Monali Thakur, a 2016 Switzerland outing with her gal pals, turned out to be one such sweet experience. She met her current beau, Maik Richter, during that vacation, and they have been going strong for two years now.

Talking about it, Monali tells BT, “I booked our accommodation online and Maik was the host. Though his boarding facility was booked, he was sweet enough to host me and my friends at his home. He gave us the bedrooms and slept on the couch! That was a really sweet gesture and we continued to keep in touch.”

On Maik’s part, it’s the dal that Monali cooks, which sealed the deal. He shares, “I love the way she prepares dal. I can eat it anytime.” She adds, “He is more Indian than I am when it comes to food. Once, we went to eat pani puri in Juhu and the guy at the counter was dishing out really bland pani puris. Maik was like, ‘Give me more spice’, and the chaatwalla told me, ‘Madam, inka pet kharab ho jayega.’ I just burst out laughing!”

While the two come from different backgrounds — Maik is a businessman and Monali is a National Award-winning singer — they have managed to keep the spark alive in their relationship. Monali says, “I come from a typical Bengali family. To Maik, even the English we speak sound like Bengali. He has met my parents and I have met his. His family is very sweet. They love my singing and even remember the lyrics of my songs. However, when Maik says Sawaar Loon, it sounds more like Sawari Loon (laughs!).” Marriage is not on the cards anytime soon, they say. “I keep visiting Europe to meet him. He also comes to India and accompanies me to all my gigs. It’s going good and I’m happy to have him in my life,” Monali signs off. 

With just a few weeks to the awards, the singer talks about being nominated
Srishti Shinde (BOMBAY TIMES; March 6, 2016)