'Though Swayamvar is over, our life has just begun'

Television actress Ratan Rajpoot chose Delhi-based software engineer Abhinav Sharma as her dream partner in Imagine TV's Swayamvar Season 3-Ratan Ka Rishta on Sunday night.

The 26-year-old software engineer pipped Anupam Singh Kushwah, settled in Poland, and Deepak Pandit of Jammu, to win the swayamvar. But Ratan's swayamvar ended in an engagement not a wedding. Ratan tells Rajul Hegde why:

Why only an engagement when you had said that you would marry?

Actually, I had said that I cannot assure you that I would marry. Swayamvar means selecting your man and it is not like you have to marry the person on the same day. Even in the Ramayan, Sita did not get married on the same day that she selected Ram.

If two individuals are well matched and can stay together forever, it's good. But if you take Rakhi's (Sawant) case, I would say that it was good that they separated. It is always better to part ways than to fight throughout your life.

So what was the Swayamvar experience like?

I was treated like a princess. These boys did tasks for me. It was a very special world for all of us where everything was set. But we have to come back to the real world where we have to live together. Today, I am committed and whatever I do matters to him. I want him to be there with me whenever I take a decision. Though the show is over, our life has just begun.

How much time did you spend together?

We met only six times on camera. But I have eaten out with all the contestants after the shoot. If they wanted to speak to me personally then we would talk. So, if we count the number of times that we have met off screen also, it would just be a few hours. 

Was your decision based on the fact that you had not spent much time with each other?

Not at all. We are comfortable with each other but at the same time you have to understand that we cannot be compatible so quickly. Like, for example, yesterday a photographer asked Abhinav to put his arm around my shoulders. It is not possible to get close to each other so easily. There was also the question of whether he will be shifting to Mumbai.

I want to make it clear that we are not going to have a live-in relationship. I am legally in a relationship and it's a very special experience for me. I wanted to give myself a chance to prove myself. During the show we discussed about leading a simple life and how we would be able to manage. So we have decided to just get engaged and spend some time together and then get married.

What attracted you to Abhinav?

I had a picture of an intelligent, caring and supportive guy who is most importantly independent. He had all the qualities but his height is a bonus (smiles). Plus he can handle the situation very smartly when we fight.

Your family was a bit tense during the show.

Yes, they were, because I was taking an important decision. They asked me whether I had taken the decision after thinking well. I know they were worried and it was obvious. Actually, they are simple people and are not camera friendly. My mom could just say that all three boys (finalists) are good. But I know that deep in their hearts, they are still tense and worried about my future.

Has Abhinav watched your show?

No. I am going to give him the DVDs to watch.

There were reports that you both knew each other long before the show had even started?

There will always be such rumours and it will be in coming Swayamwars as well. Before the show I had even heard that my boyfriend (Vikas Gupta) was going to be part of the show. Having good chemistry with Abhinav on the show doesn't mean that we have known each other earlier.