Seasoned TV actor, Tassnim Sheikh Nerurkar, best remembered for her roles in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Anupamaa, can’t stop guffawing each time she thinks of the manner in which her beau Sameer proposed after the marriage cards were printed! Leela Kempinski was booked as the venue, the guest list was finalised too. So, at his friends’ suggestion, he proposed and I quipped, “What if I say no now?” (she laughs)
Q. When and how did you meet your husband, Sameer?
A. Sameer is my best friend’s brother. He lived in the UK and he had come down for his sister’s engagement. When I dropped in at my best friend’s place, Sameer was the one who opened the door.
Q. What was your initial reaction when you met him?
A. I was like, oh my God, who is this tall, dark and handsome man. Since he is a shippie, I was quite impressed by the way he looked. And I just said hi and went inside and met my friend. And on my way out, I just said hi to him again.
Q. Would you call it a promising start?
A. Honestly speaking, we both didn’t like each other. He told his sister he found me too talkative and overfamiliar. Since he has a major OCD, he couldn’t stomach the fact that I entered her bedroom and sat on her bed without washing my hands and legs. I thought he was khadoos.
Q. So what brought about the change?
A. One day, he was going to meet his ex-girlfriend and I was teasing him about it. Thereafter, we started talking to each other frequently and that’s how it started.
Q. Elaborate please.
A. It started with him being slightly flirtatious. Things warmed up after the engagement and by his sister’s wedding, he showed a strong liking towards me. He proposed to me at the wedding.
Q. Which qualities of Sameer attracted you?
A. My mom had Alzheimer’s and cancer too. After his sister’s wedding, he started coming home. Sometimes, if I had called him over and I was late as I was held up at the studio, he would uncomplainingly spend time with my mom and father. We have a nice green area in my society, so he would take my mom for a walk. He would talk to her and make her laugh.
Q. Did he bring flowers and chocolates when you were dating each other?
A. Not just flowers and chocolates, but perfumes also. I remember giving him a silver bracelet on my first Valentine’s Day; the bracelet is still in his hand.
Q. Where did you’ll go for your first date?
A. Due to my packed shooting schedule, we only had time to go for dinner and movies. And I remember when it was my friend’s haldi, Sameer and I met at an exhibition of Levi’s jeans in Santa Cruz. So, we dated for a good three years and got married in 2006.
Q. When did you realise he was the one?
A. After he took care of my mom. I thought he is a good family man. And that was the day which made me realise I should marry him.
Q. What lifestyle changes have you had to make after marriage?
A. Sameer has major OCD; he needs everything to be neat and tidy. In keeping with Sameer’s lifestyle, today, like Sameer, my daughter and I too — in short, everybody has OCD in the family. (laughs)
Q. Who’s more possessive?
A. Neither of us. I tell him to speak to his ex-girlfriends and he discusses them with me. In fact, I chat with his girlfriends more than him.
Q. Who apologises first after a fight?
A. I, because in all these years, not even once has Sameer said sorry for anything. He will go all out to prove that I am wrong — not me. So, I feel that if saying sorry resolves the issue, let me do it.
Q. How has your relationship changed from being girlfriend-boyfriend to being husband-wife?
A. When we were girlfriend-boyfriend, we were two individuals who were enjoying life. Now, we have a family, which includes a lovely daughter, who is our responsibility. Taking care of each other's parents is also an integral part of our marriage.
Love for me is: Caring for each other.
