Rajeev Khandelwal on marriage: 'Slavery' in love, no room for ego
Synopsis
Rajeev Khandelwal's candid confession on a reality show — that he happily 'enslaves' himself to wife Manjiri through daily rituals of tea, breakfast, and evening snacks — is less a celebrity soundbite and more a quietly radical argument: that ego is the enemy of lasting love, and giving in is actually winning.
Key Takeaways
Rajeev Khandelwal described his daily routine for wife Manjiri — morning tea, breakfast, and evening snacks — as joyful 'slavery' done out of love.
He said the couple goes quiet during arguments, with both waiting for the other to make the first move before resolving things calmly.
Khandelwal stated he deliberately sets aside his ego, reasoning that wasted time apart is more costly than any disagreement.
The couple married on 7 February 2011 in an intimate Arya Samaj ceremony at Khimsar Fort near Jodhpur , after dating privately for about two years .
The remarks were made during an interaction with contestants on Tum Ho Naa, Ghar Ki Superstar .
Actor and host Rajeev Khandelwal offered a candid and heartfelt look into his marriage with wife Manjiri Kamtikar, saying he finds genuine joy in what he playfully calls 'slavery' — a daily routine of small, loving gestures that keep their bond strong. Speaking during an interaction with contestants on the reality show Tum Ho Naa, Ghar Ki Superstar, Khandelwal said love, not ego, is the foundation of their relationship.
The 'Slavery' That Brings Him Peace
When a contestant asked what he does for Manjiri, Khandelwal responded with characteristic humour, describing a domestic routine built entirely around her comfort. 'My slavery begins with making her a cup of tea,' he said. 'If she's at home, I make breakfast for her. She decides what we'll have for lunch. Then comes the evening tea — she loves the tea I make, so I make that for her too.'
He added that Manjiri would often sit on the bed and ask for snacks — makhanas in particular — at their usual evening time together. 'You know it's my snacking time,' he recalled her saying, with evident affection in his retelling.
Reflecting on why he embraces this role, Khandelwal said, 'I have learned one thing — the more you give in, the more they'll pull you in.' He noted that once a routine is established, even a single lapse prompts a gentle reminder from Manjiri. Far from resenting it, he described the dynamic as a source of peace. 'We're not really slaves, but there's a certain joy, peace and happiness in this 'slavery' done out of love. If there's one person in this world for whom I would happily embrace this feeling, it's Manjiri,' he said.
How They Handle Disagreements
Khandelwal also spoke about how the couple navigates arguments, revealing that both tend to go quiet first — each waiting for the other to make the first move. 'She looks at me from over there, and I look at her from over here, but neither of us says anything,' he said. He described the resolution as roughly equal: when Manjiri knows she is genuinely in the wrong, she quietly moves beside him and holds his hand.
On whether gifts play a role in patching things up, Khandelwal said the situation never escalates that far. Instead, he described a mental reset he performs: 'We've already gone half an hour without talking. Life keeps moving on. Do you want to spend your life with this person or not?' That internal question, he said, is enough to make him set aside his ego and reach out immediately.
Their Love Story and Wedding
Khandelwal and Manjiri Kamtikar dated privately for approximately two years before marrying on 7 February 2011 in an intimate Arya Samaj ceremony held at Khimsar Fort near Jodhpur. The wedding was attended only by close family and friends, keeping in line with the couple's preference for privacy.
With their bond now well into its second decade, Khandelwal's remarks on the show offer a rare, unguarded glimpse into what keeps a long marriage grounded — and why, in his view, ego is always the first thing that should go.
Point of View
Which tend toward either curated perfection or dramatic conflict. What stands out is the specificity — tea, makhanas, a hand held in silence — because it suggests a marriage sustained not by grand gestures but by repetition and intention. The ego-as-enemy argument he makes is also the one most couples learn too late: that the half-hour of silence costs more than the disagreement ever did. Whether or not audiences take relationship cues from a reality show, Khandelwal's candour here is notably unguarded for a public figure.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Rajeev Khandelwal say about his marriage to Manjiri?
Rajeev Khandelwal said he finds joy in what he calls 'slavery' — a daily routine of making tea, breakfast, and evening snacks for wife Manjiri. He described the dynamic as one built on love rather than fear, and said he leaves no room for ego between them.
When and where did Rajeev Khandelwal and Manjiri get married?
The couple married on 7 February 2011 in an intimate Arya Samaj ceremony at Khimsar Fort near Jodhpur. They had dated privately for approximately two years before the wedding, which was attended only by close family and friends.
How do Rajeev Khandelwal and Manjiri resolve arguments?
Khandelwal said both he and Manjiri go quiet during disagreements, each waiting for the other to make the first move. He added that he quickly sets aside his ego, reminding himself that time spent in silence is time wasted with someone he loves.
What show did Rajeev Khandelwal make these remarks on?
He made these remarks during an interaction with contestants on Tum Ho Naa, Ghar Ki Superstar, where he was appearing as actor and host.
What does Rajeev Khandelwal mean by 'slavery' in love?
Khandelwal used the word playfully to describe small, consistent acts of care — making tea, preparing breakfast, fetching evening snacks — that he performs for Manjiri out of affection. He clarified that it is not fear-driven but love-driven, and that the routine brings him peace and happiness.
