Choreographer-turned director Farah Khan?s recent wedding to film editor Shirish Kunder was one of the most-talked about marriages in Tinselville, attended by the film industry?s biggest names. After a long courtship, which began on the sets of Main Hoon Na, the couple finally decided to tie the knot.

Farah Khan is one of the film industry?s most familiar faces thanks to the many dance sequences she has choreographed. Though she has scaled new heights after the success of her debut directorial venture, Main Hoon Na, it was the foot-tapping Chaiya Chaiya number in Dil Se which had Shah Rukh Khan gyrating with Malaika Arora Khan on top of a train, that catapulted her to instant stardom. The film won her the much coveted Filmfare Award. Two more Filmfare Awards came her way ? in 2000 for Kaho Na Pyaar Hai and again in 2004 for Koi Mil Gaaya. But it was the desire to do things differently that motivated her to direct Main Hoon Na with her best buddy Shah Rukh. Back from her honeymoon in Thailand, Farah is busy working on her next film. She is also in the public eye as a judge on Sony TV?s Indian Idolshow.

An electronics engineer by profession, Shirish Kunder worked in Motorola for three years till he finally decided to give it all up to become a film editor. Some of the earlier films he edited include Ankhen, Armaan and Na Tum Jano Na Hum. But he truly made a name for himself after editing Main Hoon Na and today is concentrating on his debut film as a director, which stars Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar.

FARAH ON SHIRISH

Shirish and I met on the sets of Main Hoon Na and believe me it, wasn?t love at first sight. In fact, throughout the making of the film we spoke just about four times and that too, on the technical aspects of the film. Honestly speaking, I never really mingled with him. But when he was busy making the promos of the film, I got to know him better. Slowly, I became interested in his approach to work, and finally by the time the film was over, we were madly in love with each other. At that time my mind was a bit open as the film was complete and I had less to worry about.

Both of us felt that the time wasn?t right to disclose our relationship. Nobody in the unit had any idea of it. Even Shah Rukh who?s my best friend came to know about our relationship much later when Gauri told him. What I liked about Shirish was the fact that he was not only intelligent but also clear-cut in his approach. Working together for over 20 hours a day gives you ample time to observe and understand each other. During the making of the film, we only argued about things. But he was very tolerant and tackled things wonderfully.

From being lovers to partners, life has changed immensely for us. But the very fact that we are now married has still not sunk in because I still see him as my boyfriend. I feel what makes us tick is the fact that we allow each other space to grow and make decisions ourselves. Marriage has matured me a lot and I have now become domesticated. At the end of the day?s work, I really feel like returning home and getting pampered by Shirish. He has made a name after the success of Main Hoon Na, and I hope that soon he?ll be able to carve a niche for himself as a director. Though I pull his leg that my film will be a hit and not his, I honestly hope that his work is accepted by the audience at large.

SHIRISH ON FARAH

When I was in school, I was enamoured by Juhi Chawla. Later, this changed to a fascination with Farah when I saw her dance sequences in Dil Se. I had a crush on her but never really got any opportunity to interact with her. Thus, when I got a chance to work with her as a film editor, I was more than pleased to do it. I even charged 25 per cent less because it was her film. During the making of the film, we hardly talked and our interactions were limited to discussions on editing. When the film got over, Farah threw a cast and crew party at her place. It was there that I got drunk and proposed to her. It came as a shock to her but in the end she agreed. We didn?t tell anybody in the unit that we planned to get married soon.

Now that we are married, we feel more responsible towards each other. Since both of us are busy with our own projects, we hardly spend time at home. Ever since we?ve come back from our honeymoon, our schedules have gone haywire. Farah is concentrating on her next project for which I am doing the screenplay. I am also ready with my film, which she is choreographing. We brainstorm a lot and discuss each and every aspect of our work. Both of us are workaholics and at home too, we talk only about films.

What I like about her is that she is very focused and hardworking. But it?s very hard to convince her. She won?t agree until she sees a reason to something. In terms of work, I am very artistically inclined whereas Farah has a more practical approach. Apart from films, she?s now busy doing up our new house at Versova. As a wife, Farah has made me realise a lot of things about myself. I love her ability to make people laugh as she is a very fun-loving person. She also has a fine eye for details and is a perfectionist.