By: Ritwika Gupta

Rom-coms, cupcakes, candle light dinners, flowers and candies ? some of the most cherished moments in our lives arise out of love. Although each one of us are preoccupied with a million priorities in today?s fast-paced setting, there is no denying the fact that all of us want to be with people whom we care about, who make us happy and who value us for who we actually are. When you find the right person to spend your entire life with, you enable yourself to weave long-lasting moments that create memories of a lifetime and a beautiful love story to share in the coming years. As Valentine?s Day draws closer, I have rounded up five of the true love stories of happily married couples in the television, media and lifestyle industries that truly make me believe that if you?re in love, everyday is Valentine?s Day!

LOVE IS FRIENDSHIP

Sudhir and Seema Sharma, owners of Sunshine Productions, have given us popular love stories on television like Miley Jab Hum Tum and Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha. However, when it comes to their own love affair, they confess that it was not a mushy romantic story at all.

Sudhir and Seema Sharma
 

?We both used to work for Zee Network in Delhi. Seema was a news producer with Zee while I had newly joined as a reporter. We became friends when I started anchoring. Our interaction led to friendship and I got along with her from day one. We became best of friends. So, this is not a typical romantic love story but I can proudly say that even after 15 years of marriage and two lovely kids, we are still the best of friends.?

 Sudhir admits that since they work together, there are bound to be small arguments and issues but the husband-wife duo are so passionate about their work that it hardly matters in the bigger scheme of things.

?Our morning starts with a conversation related to work but we have our ?switch on & switch off? mode. We try to avoid work post 8 pm and try to spend time with each other on weekends. We have an understanding like friends and the trust factor is there which is very important in any relationship.?

This year, the couple will be in Mumbai and you can spot them dining out at a restaurant in the city.

THE ROMANTIC ONE

Subhadarshi Tripathy, who is the cluster head - paid TV at Zee Entertainment, admits that his life would not have been the same without his wife, Shraddha who left her job to take care of his family and children.

Subhadarshi Tripathy with his twins

Subhadarshi and Shraddha know each other for 20 years now and met during an animation course where the former was completely awestruck by his wife.

?She was my batch-mate and way superior to me. I was a nobody and completely in awe of her as she was so good at her work. After knowing each other for sometime, I popped the question and proposed to her. We then got married in 2003.?

Subhadarshi shares that Valentine?s Day does not really have much of an importance in his life as he believes every day should be celebrated in love. Adding on to that, he tells us that there are no specific Valentine?s Day plans for this year.

Speaking of Shraddha?s role in his life, Subhadarshi admits that Shraddha helps him keep a work-life balance, as she understands his work schedule, which can get quite hectic at times.

?Even though I have a set of house keys, I still ring the doorbell because I want to see her face first when I come home,? he says with a slight blush.

THE FILMY LOVE STORY

Yash and Mamta Patnaik

Yash and Mamta Patnaik, founders of Beyond Dreams Entertainment, had the ultimate Bollywood-ish love story. There was a hero, heroine, villain, action and lots of drama.

?Back in 2001, we both were working for a channel. We knew each other but we were not friends. So during a celebration party for the channel, I bumped into her again. Initially we did not talk much but during the party, a few guys started misbehaving with a few girls. They were forcefully trying to dance with them and that is when I intervened to stop the guys. I guess that was my winning moment. That same night, I danced with Mamta and dropped her home too. This was in January 2001. By May, we got engaged and within the next year we got married.?

Completing 13 years of marriage this April, Yash confesses with a smile that nothing has really changed.

Speaking about how it is like to work with his wife, he says ?I think when you love each other, work becomes much easier. There are differences but the best part is that we spend almost 23-24 hours with each other. Our cabins are just opposite each other. When she is unable to come for a meeting, I attend it on her behalf. I put in the extra effort to do justice to her concepts.

Stating his beliefs that Valentine?s Day is a celebration of love and your loved ones, Yash admits that both of them complement each other perfectly.

When asked about his plans for this year, he laughs and shares, ?Well my wife?s birthday falls on 10 February, so there is a demand for two different gifts. But apart from that, I will also take her out for dinner.?

A FAMILY STYLE STATEMENT

Jawed & Shaheen Habib

Top hairstylist and founder of Jawed Habib Hair & Beauty, Jawed Habib has a very interesting love story to share. ?My wife, Shaheen was one of my clients who used to come for a haircut to me and that?s how I met her and we fell in love,? he admits.

Speaking about his wife?s role in his life, Jawed admits that Shaheen has managed to give all the values to their children that he had received from his mother when he was a child. ?It is not difficult for me to maintain a work - life balance as my wife has been a pillar of strength and support. I live only for today and I don?t depend on tomorrow,? he says.

When quizzed about their Valentine?s Day plans for this year, he shares, ?I normally spend my Valentine?s Day with my family at home. Valentine?s Day is about being with your dear ones and this year, I will be taking them out for dinner. Furthermore, for me it is also about spending time with my employees who work so hard for me day and night. So yes, I have a huge family to celebrate this Valentine?s Day.

LOVE AT WORK

Rupali and Pintoo Guha, owners of Film Farm India, have been married for 21 years now. They met during a work assignment and got married in 1993. Talking about the significance of Valentine?s Day in their lives, Rupali says, ?To be honest, neither Pintoo nor I believe in Valentine?s Day. We believe everyday should be celebrated like Valentine?s Day. I think it is utopian for every working woman to have a man in her life whom she can share the same level of understanding with.?

Rupali and Pintoo Guha

Rupali admits that whether it is work or home, she is lucky to have Pintoo by her side and shares that it is not very difficult to maintain a work life balance if you have faith in each other.

?During work, Pinto and I distribute our responsibilities. While I take charge of the creative aspect, he takes responsibility of the production. It is not like we agree all the time but we debate about it and it works fine at the end of the day,? she tells us with a smile on her face.
 

Main Course

Smoke House Deli

Smoke House Deli is offering a special menu so allow yourself to fall in love with not just your date but also your plate. The menu includes smoked strawberry and asparagus with goat cheese and toasted almonds, smoked salmon with orange and wasabi, truffled spaghetti, flavoured with field mushrooms and porcini, grilled john dory with dill and caper glaze or the simple and wholesome thyme and chilli rubbed roast chicken with spring veggies. Drop by between 11 ? 14 February at Smoke House Deli, all outlets in Delhi.  Prices for a three-course meal for two ranges from Rs 2199++ to Rs 3299++.

Ssence

Ssence, a multi-cuisine restaurant, at The Suryaa in New Delhi is celebrating Valentine's Day with an exclusive dinner buffet that will be served on 14 February, 2015 from 7 pm onwards. Treat your loved one to four very special cuisines - Awadhi, Punjabi, Shahjahanabadi and Kayasth and also receive a personalized love mug from the hotel to commemorate this special day. All couples celebrating their first anniversary with the restaurant will also win a special hamper from the hotel on Valentine?s Day.

District 6

District 6 at Malleshwaram is offering a tantalizing menu from 12 pm to 1 am on 14 February, 2015, which is sure to make your day extra special. The menu features specials such as schmi spiced corn, veggie poutine, prawns chilly butter garlic, kacche kele ki galoti kebab, tenderloin skewers, hot chicken wings, grilled tenderloin steak, cajun grilled chicken, grilled cottage cheese steak, fresh asparagus green pea risotto, meen moilee, bullet chicken, poached lamb, stir fried assorted greens and assorted mushrooms to name a few. Along with mouth-watering food, avail free flowing sparkling wine, a range of crafted German beer, finest wine offerings from Grover?s, sangria, assorted cocktails and mocktails as well as aerated drinks. Price for a meal of two is Rs 4000.

Euriska

Come and enjoy your romantic date at the newly opened lounge in Pune - Euriska from 13 ? 15 February, 2015. A special menu has been created at Euriska only for Valentine?s Day for food connoisseurs. The menu includes both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food namely chortof?gous (for vegetarian lovers), mi-chortof?gous (for meat lovers), berry and green salad, octopus and scallop salad, oyster and tequila. Price for food starts from Rs 1800 plus taxes.
 

Snacks

Pizza Hut

For all pizza lovers, have fun celebrating Valentine?s Day with Pizza Hut?s unique offer called ?2izza?! An exquisitely designed pizza where two different pizza halves merge into one, ?2izza? is a single pizza with two sets of toppings. If she likes it spicy and you love it cheesy, celebrate your choices and indulge your love by sharing a 2izza available at all Pizza Hut outlets till 15 February, 2015. Dining, delivery and takeaway options are also available. Prices range from Rs 245 to Rs 470.

SBARRO

SBARRO, a chain of pizza restaurants that specializes in New York-style pizzas is offering the ?Pizza Love Box? comprising any two New York style pizza slices, two garlic breads, one brownie and one drink.  The ?Pizza Love Box? comes at a price of Rs 399 and is available at outlets in Gurgaon and Connaught Place on 14 February, 2015.

Love Potions

Le Bistro Du Parc

Get an aphrodisiac dose this Valentine?s Day by making your reservation for a 5 course menu curated by Chef Alexis at Le Bistro Du Parc, Delhi. The exclusive Love Potion is a must try at this restaurant along with starters like Mediterranean vegetables, avocado and red pepper coulis. The main course dishes include smoked potato crush, brie sauce and truffle shavings; roast Quail with fig stuffing, sauteed potatoes and vegetable chips; steamed seabass roulade with fennel and star anise cream. Exclusively available on 14 February, 2015 from 7 pm onwards, the price for a meal for two is Rs 4900 plus taxes.

Barking Deer Brewpub and Restaurant

For Valentine?s Day, Barking Deer Brewpub and Restaurant is offering the cupid?s potion ?lavender ale?. A clear golden colour beer with whitish head, it has an intense lavender aroma. Flavour starts off sweet and floral with some dry wheat counteracted by the honey and lavender. It?s a deliciously drinkable potpourri.

Desserts

Caf? Delhi Heights

Treat your love with a sweet tooth at Caf? Delhi Heights with the yummiest heart shaped red velvet cakes exclusively available on 14 February, 2015. Also enjoy the chocolate mud cake, chocolate lasagna, chocolate brownie with ice-cream available from 11 am to 11 pm. Price range for red velvet cake is Rs 135 per slice and prices for other desserts start from Rs 175.

Terminus 1

This Valentine?s Day, celebrate the spirit of love at Terminus 1 at Ambience Mall in Delhi with their special heart shaped dishes for the occasion available from 11 am to midnight. You can treat your Valentine with Terminus 1?s Makhani curry mousse with heart shaped melba toast and a berry sweet heart chocolate mousse dessert, which is an inspired combination of sinfully oozing chocolate and sweet strawberries. Prices range from Rs 155 to Rs 400.