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When a set of business meetings lead to friendship and then love, it looks like a typical movie scene from Bollywood. But, this was true in the case of the international celebrity and actress, Shilpa Shetty and her NRI husband,Raj Kundra.
There were a series of hiccups since Raj had divorced his first wife and found love with Shilpa. But, they managed to break all social stigma and came clear of all controversies to make their marriage become unbreakable.
The Beginning
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They shared a professional relation initially since Raj was helping out Shilpa in the promotion of her new brand,S2.
They were promoting together and had the gossip mongers remarking about their incredible chemistry.Soon, there were news reports about Shilpa dating this businessman who was an NRI and a divorcee.
They cleared all such rumors stating that they were just friends and shared a business relation,nothing more.
The Courtship
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Their chemistry was spontaneous and they shared that trust since the beginning because any business required this element in the first place. They started dating secretly and spent more time together , away from the prying eyes of the paparazzi. She gave hints when asked about her relationship with Raj initially stating that she was dating someone but it was a very early stage.
Without naming him, she described her future soul mate as “He respects and understands what I do, and it is nice to be cared for. I have been very lonely for a very long time, and it is nice to know I have somebody to look forward to seeing at the end of the day.”
He was all that he had ever wanted from her life -partner and news was abuzz that they were ready to tie the knot soon.
The Controversy
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Their love story had been a fairy tale till their relationship became public.His ex-wife,Kavita created quite a ruckus claiming that Shilpa had broken her marriage since Raj had left her with a new born child to marry Shilpa.
Shilpa was hurt by her allegations and cleared the air with , “I was really upset by what she said, she knew very well that I didn’t even know her husband when she walked out on him.”
Raj too cleared in the media that his marriage with Kavita had ended almost a year ago and Shilpa had no role to play in his divorce.
After this news died down, one more controversy arose regarding Shilpa’s pregnancy before marriage.
The Marriage
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The much in love couple decided to get hitched soon to put an end to all the rumors and speculations. Shilpa commented publicly before her marriage about how she felt about Raj, “I’ve always said that the day I decide to tie the knot it is going to be for good. I have often wondered who the right person would be and I’ve come to realise that for me it is Raj. I’m completely sure he is my soulmate.”
On November 22,2009 they got married with an engagement ceremony a month before.They had a pre-wedding bash and a lavish wedding ceremony according to Managalorean traditions.It was an amalgamation of north and south traditions and the couple looked absolutely ravishing.
They had a reception on November 24, at the Grand Hyatt Mumbai, that truly showed their popularity in the industry. Many Bollywood celebrities, business associates and political bureaucrats, numbering almost 500.
The Mutual Admiration
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They had eyes only for each other and knew that they were meant to be together when they met for the first time.Raj revealed about how supportive Shilpa had been from the start with some lovely words, “It was love at first sight. From the moment I saw her, I knew I’d love her to be my life partner. She’s got an angelic side to her. Her homely side grew on me as I got to know her. She’s a great housewife. She’s a supermom! She’s the wind beneath my wings and I try to be her support system. We are each other’s strengths.”
What more could a woman need?
She was his anchor, support system and a complete home-maker.
They welcomed their first child,Viaan Raj Kundra and life has been perfect for them just like their marriage.
He was his Raj from Dilwale Dullhaniya Le Jaenge in real life as she revealed in an interview, “Raj is the ideal Raj, like Raj from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge,” Shilpa said in an interview. Well, here is what Shilpa wrote on her twitter wall last year on her wedding anniversary, “Wishing you happy anniversary Raj Kundra. My real life hero. (I) can’t thank god enough for having you in my life. You are the best hubby. Love you”
We wish them more happy anniversaries in the years to come and hope their strong marriage sets an example for other couples facing troubled times and setbacks in their marriages.
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