Nusrat Jahan and Nikhil Jain: The Soulmate Connection

Nusrat Jahan and Nikhil Jain, 2019 will always remain a special year for Nusrat Jahan. The drop-dead-gorgeous Bengali actress not only stepped into the world of politics and became a Member of Parliament from Basirhat constituency; she also tied the knot with her sweetheart, Nikhil Jain, the suave entrepreneur from Kolkata. Facing all kinds of opposition, it was their faith in each other that gave them the strength in their relationship. And this month, they complete their six months of marital bliss!

The beautiful couple shot for their first magazine cover together with TMM, giving us a glimpse into the wonderful chemistry they share. There were plenty of laughs during the conversation too, with Nusrat and Nikhil often pulling each other’s leg and even completing each other’s sentences! A true partnership of souls! Excerpts from the conversation…

2019 was a defining year for both of you. Politics and marriage – how do you look back upon it now?
Nusrat Jahan: It’s been an epic year. A few days ago, someone asked me this and I said, ‘I was standing for elections and I found Nikhil standing up for me’. So, this year will be remembered as an epitome of strength for both of us.

Nikhil Jain: I had never been with a celeb as my emotional interest or seen the political life. Religion was another issue and to convince the families, another. And despite all that, we made the choice to support each other in so many ways. It was not easy. There were times when she had disbelief in herself, there were times I did. We were dating but we were being tested too. That made the faith in us grow stronger. I always say everyone comes with some baggage. When you say ‘I do’ to a person, you cannot expect to take only the good parts and leave the rest. Nusrat Jahan | Nikhil Jain

Nusrat: Yes, like my tantrums!

Nikhil: That too (laughs).

Inter-religion marriages are not always easy…

Nusrat: I genuinely feel secular India begins in our house.

Nikhil: I remember we were at a restaurant in Delhi, when a couple walked up to us to ask for a selfie. The guy was a Muslim and the girl, a Hindu. They said they were getting married and that we had inspired them to take the step.

Nusrat: I said we don’t want to meet your parents. (laughs)

Ever since you became a politician, and even before that, you have been getting trolled for many reasons – for celebrating Durga Puja, for taking a picture clicked in front of the Parliament House, to getting married to a Hindu and wearing sindoor. Nikhil, have you ever felt scared seeing what she has to go through?

Nikhil: Scared is the last thing on my mind. To be honest, I’m not a social media person. She was on prime time recently in the last 3-4 months and there was a hashtag being used ‘leave Nusrat Jahan alone’. I was watching that bit and all these guys were shouting, making it a national debate. And we were having dinner. It was not affecting us and we were laughing that people could be bothered about such things.

Nusrat: People just want a reaction. Anybody writing and tagging you and saying rubbish, would just get a high from getting a reply from me! So basically they are lovers in disguise! They are just fans pretending to be anti-fans. I would really rather spend my energy on things I want to do for my people. I don’t want to leave any stone unturned. It’s about making people’s lives better. Nikhil is a huge support. He keeps coming up with new ideas that can help people live better lives. We want people to get better education, employment, clean water.

Nikhil, there’s no hiding the fact that you have a gorgeous wife. But apart from her outer beauty, what is it about her that appealed to you and which people may not know about her? 

Nikhil: I come from a fashion industry background, so I do meet models and actors but I never got that feeling from anyone but her. So, it’s not that I fell for her beauty alone. There are so many things people don’t know about her. Firstly, she may be a celeb but she is a very family-oriented person. If I’m going wrong in any way, she checks me. Also, I find that when she finds a person in need, she goes out of her way to help them, and maybe that’s the reason she is where she is today. She won’t trample on anyone to step ahead. Also, she is a kid at heart! (laughs) She likes to be pampered. Nusrat Jahan | Nikhil Jain

So Nusrat, will you continue acting in films?

Nusrat: Yes, because that’s my passion. I love it when my hair flies in the air, putting on make-up, and I also love the intense acting we get to do.

Nikhil, have you watched all her films?

Nikhil: Ami Je Ke Tomar is my favourite. I liked Love Express as well. It’s a rom-com. But I know nothing about the one coming up next, Asur. I told her I don’t want to know the story. I want to see it on the day of the premiere.

Nusrat: I feel it’s my best work to date. Nikhil has seen all my good films. I have only shown him the good ones (smiles).

Quick take

When it comes to priority, how do food, fitness and films rank?

Nusrat: I keep juggling. When I’m working, it’s only films. When I’m eating, it’s only food. Fitness jumps in when I feel the need to feel fit again.

Anything you want to change about the other?

Nikhil: She has seen so much to get where she is today. I would not want to change anything about that.

Nusrat: The fact that these days I don’t get to be solo on magazine covers! (laughs) Jokes apart, I don’t want to change anything about him because if he becomes too perfect, how will I fight with him? I don’t want to lose out on the small, silly things.

Any pet peeves?

Nusrat: Too many things but I can’t let it bother me. I don’t look at the problem, I try and seek solutions.

Nikhil: I get frustrated at the mindsets of some people, who want to trample on others in order to rise.

Do you cook?

Nusrat: I love cooking.

Nikhil: She promised to cook for me and then said, you’re not so fond of food so I’m not cooking.

Nusrat: That’s true. But I seriously love cooking.

One dish she makes that you really like?

Nikhil: She cooked a very good kaali dal once. She also makes really good Thai food and cakes.

Any message you want to leave the readers with?

Nusrat: We wish them a great year ahead. We hope they keep their minds and hearts open to new horizons and endeavours. Jo bhi karo, dil se karo.

Nikhil: Yes, and when you follow your heart, have the strength to not care about what people are talking about. Nusrat Jahan | Nikhil Jain

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