It’s just been a week of being married. But Riya Shivam Tewari (yes, that’s the way she likes it) and husband Shivam Tewari are already separated by two cities. While Riya is busy wrapping up the last leg of Ekta Kapoor’s Ragini MMS 2 in Mumbai, Shivam is in Delhi looking after his family business. In her first interview post-marriage, Moon Moon Sen’s younger daughter tells it all to t2, straight from the heart.

Congrats Riya! It’s been a week of being married and of being Mrs Tewari. Or is it Riya Sen Tewari? How does it feel?
It’s RST! Riya Shivam Tewari! LOL, I really don’t know yet, it’s too new!

Why was your marriage such a hush-hush affair?

No, it wasn’t a secret affair, it was  a sacred one. The wedding was beautiful  and our families made it extremely special.

A lot of people were upset that they were not invited or informed and only found out through social media. How did you deal with that?

A lot of people were upset that we did not invite or inform them.... Many reacted in crazy ways! Nonetheless, this marriage wasn’t about other people. It was about Shivam and me. We wanted it this way. We will have a reception in Delhi soon where we will invite our relatives and friends.

Where did you first meet Shivam?

We first met in India. Gosh! Don’t even ask.... Sssshhh!

Was Shivam a fan of Riya the actress when you met? Had he watched your films?

When I met him for the first time he told me he had never ever heard of me! But he later admitted that he was just kidding! Having said that he is not much into Bollywood films.

When did you realise he is The One, and why is he The One?

Difficult to explain. But it took less than a second for me to realise he is The Man! Shivam said he realised I am The One when he looked into my eyes for the first time. Though we wore sunglasses through most of our dates! Except for one moment of being bare! LOL!

Who said ‘I love you’ first? Who proposed marriage first?

Shivam... thank goodness!

You looked beautiful in that red Benarasi dressed up as the Bengali bride. What’s the first thing Shivam told you when he saw you as a bride?

Thank you! He said I looked like the most beautiful bride ever! Though I choose to disagree... I could have looked better (joking!).

Who designed your trousseau?

Miss Mama Sen the great!

Where are you headed for your honeymoon?

We are on a constant honeymoon!

What’s the best thing about being married to Shivam?

We are content.

Your parents must be thrilled..

This is the happiest I have ever seen them. They are completely obsessed about Shivam! Everything is about Shivam now. I am jealous of the fact that now Shivam is the most pampered in the family.

What about your in-laws?

I am lucky that my in-laws are incredibly special people and I love them dearly. My father-in-law is an extraordinary man and my mom-in-law a beautiful and brave woman.

Where will you be based now? Or will it be a tale of many cities now?

Correct, a tale of many cities.... Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta, Goa... to name a few.  Currently I am in Bombay shooting for Ragini MMS 2, a webseries produced by Ekta Kapoor and an ad film for a mobile accessories brand, while Shivam is in Delhi.

Will you continue with your acting career or will you concentrate on marriage and family?

I am only good at multitasking! So I will concentrate on both.

What’s the one thing you like best about Shivam?

His loyalty. He is very loyal. We have chosen to make the rest of our lives the best of our lives.

Anything you would like to change in him?

A woman cannot change a man just because she loves him. A man will change himself if he loves his woman. I want to have the kind of marriage that will last forever. The kind of marriage that will make my kids want to get married.

Raima must be getting along famously with Shivam, right?

Oh yes! They get along like a house on fire. She gets along very well with Gaurav, too, my brother-in-law... and not to mention, so do I.

We know you as shy and moody with a wanderlust. Is Shivam like you or is it a case of opposites attracting?

Shivam might not be as shy or as moody as me but he has a wanderlust as well. We both yearn to constantly travel.

Rumour has it that because you are pregnant you decided to get married in a hurry...

Hopefully, this rumour will not last forever.

Kushali Nag