EXCLUSIVE: Riddhi Dogra opens-up on romance with Raqesh, rejecting ‘Bigg Boss’ & much more!

The beautiful actress Riddhi Dogra of Life Ok’s ‘Savitri’ shared some very interesting life facts with Pinkvilla.com during a candid chat recently. The actress revealed how romance started with her hubby Raqesh when they least expected and their respect for privacy which made them reject a call from ‘Bigg Boss’! Excerpts from the interview:

After quitting ‘Savitri’, what is keeping you busy these days?

I love the time gap between shows. It gives time to not just recuperate but also to re-assess things, look at life's priorities and make long term plans. Apart from being obsessed with getting fit (something very difficult to do while you do a daily soap) I'm reading a lot as I intend to write a book and creatively produce a fiction show in the future, since I understand tv sensibilities. Travelling, and most of all working on brand Raqesh - The Artist! It's a very exciting time for us and we are really enjoying this entire process.

Our readers would love to know how romance started between you and your hubby Raqesh? Please share your love story with us.

Ours was the classic case of 'we were meant to be together', both of us individually didn't want to get married. Everyone had given up on me and him in our families. When we met on 'maryada' we ourselves felt an instant ease and comfort with each other. Our first scene was an intimate scene on a bed, and we broke the bed!!!! We laughed it off and became really good friends, more like buddies. Even the proposal was a conversation, it just seemed like it's happening to us and we are flowing with it.. We really believe god wanted us to be together. He's got some plan for us. Lol.

We’ve seen you and Raqesh in ‘Nach Baliye 6’. What if both of you are offered to participate in ‘Bigg Boss’? Will you accept the offer?

We were, actually offered ‘Bigg Boss’. But we can't do it. We are very private people and love our home space and our pets - 2 cats and a lab, way too much to go anywhere. Sanaya (Irani) was joking the other day that we should all go in together maybe it'll be easier and more fun. But I don't think we can do it.

Some time back, both you and Raquesh declared that you won’t have children owing to a host of practical issues. Was the decision to not to have children accepted well by your family members? Won’t you miss having a child of your own?

Fortunately, we both have very understanding parents and families. They definitely want us to have children and we know that if we ever have one they'll be elated and will make the world’s best grandparents but they let us be and respect our space and thoughts.
Like you know it is because of practical reasons, we'll have to leave the city to raise a child in the ideal surrounding. I see parents running and running because they have children. And what kind of world are children coming into anyway. So we thought maybe we'll adopt a child and give him a better future.

What about the plan to adopt a child? And if you do adopt one, will you bring him or her home? Or how are you going to make time for the child when you are already busy with too much work?

Wow! This is an alien question to me. We haven't thought on those lines at all and so I cannot even give an answer out of my imagination.

What is the best thing about being married to Raqesh?

I have a friend in him for life!!!! He is really a fantastic partner. The best thing for me individually is that he wants me to evolve, grow and have an independent identity of my own. He pushes me to broaden my horizon as a person and open myself up to life beyond acting and tap my true potential. Also, he is so creative and intrinsically talented that the atmosphere at home is filled with possibilities and inspirations.

How do you keep so fit? What exercise/diet plan do you follow?

I love working out! Given a chance I would work out for a living, be it swimming, Pilates, yoga, dance or weight training. I love pushing myself physically.
So we have a home gym, (since we both absolutely hate going to gyms) where we train with our personal trainer and I alternatively go for yoga classes to yoga 101 in Versova, Mumbai.
Diet is actually much more important than work out. And I follow the 'eat in every 2 hrs' diet. Lots of greens, salads, chicken, fish, fresh fruits make up for my diet.

We hear that you help in marketing Raquesh’s paintings as well. How did that happen?

A lot of friends who collect art and have an insight into the art world have been telling Raqesh to take this hobby seriously, and see potential in him as an artist. When you have such a gifted talent you must showcase it. And to ensure that we do the right things, make the right moves and go through the right process it was important to get involved into all aspects.

Is marriage necessary for everyone? What makes marriage justified?

If you find someone you are sure you can live with for the rest of your life, go ahead and get married. But marriage is not a necessity anymore. Women are as competent if not more, than men to run a great life, have a rocking lifestyle and have a career to die for, you can adopt, live in. Our world is changing and where there are cons to it there are pros too. It's an extremely personal choice. Some people are marriage material, some are not. Some realise after they get married they should be single, some realise at 50 they are ready for marriage.
Your instinct and personality, your want and needs are the only things that should make marriage justified or not.