Actor and host Rajeev Khandelwal has opened up about his private romance and deliberately understated wedding with wife Manjiri Kamtikar, sharing candid anecdotes on the upcoming 'Shaadi' Special episode of the reality show Tum Ho Naa - Ghar Ki Superstar. The episode, prompted by a question from contestant Neelam, offered a rare glimpse into the couple's low-profile courtship and the spirited family negotiations that surrounded their marriage.

The Secret Romance and Father-in-Law Meeting

Khandelwal recalled that the couple deliberately kept their relationship out of the public eye. 'Hum log toh aise chhup-chhup ke milte the. Maine toh shaadi mein kisi ko bulaya hi nahi, na maine kisi press wale ko bulaya,' he said, which translates to: 'We used to meet secretly. I didn't invite anyone to the wedding, nor did I invite the press.'

He described a memorable moment when Manjiri's father discovered the relationship. Before he could formally summon Khandelwal, the actor had already arrived at the family home. When asked about his intentions, Khandelwal's candid response was that they were 'only dating right now' — a reply that immediately set off a round of marriage planning from his future father-in-law.

The Engagement and the Date Tug-of-War

According to Khandelwal, the engagement itself was fast-tracked. Having been together for roughly a year and a half, he had hoped to buy more time, but a firm date was demanded and the engagement was held on 16 May. 'Maine socha 6 mahine ki date de dete hain yaar,' he said — meaning he had planned to suggest a date six months away — but the family moved faster than he anticipated.

The negotiation continued even during the engagement ceremony. While placing the ring on Manjiri's finger, Khandelwal was simultaneously pressed to announce the wedding date. His father-in-law reportedly sat down right there and insisted on a public announcement. After a prolonged back-and-forth — from one year, to ten months, and further pressure to reduce — Khandelwal said he 'somehow managed to get one year's time' through what he humorously called 'a lot of pulling and stretching.'

The 'One-Hour Wedding' Wish That Wasn't

Khandelwal described himself as someone who 'wanted the wedding to get over within an hour' and believed that 'not too much money should be spent on weddings.' That vision, however, did not survive contact with family reality.

As preparations began, the guest list and logistics expanded rapidly. One relative pushed for more invitees, another insisted on additional accommodation — with room bookings reportedly ballooning from 100 rooms to 150 rooms. The planning process, by his account, turned into a classic family tug-of-war between both sides over every detail of the arrangements.

A Rare Personal Moment on Screen

Khandelwal, who typically guards his personal life closely, acknowledged that wedding stories are a treasure trove of memories. 'Shaadiyon ki baat karenge toh itne kisse khulenge,' he said — roughly, 'If we start talking about weddings, so many stories will come out.' The episode is set to air as part of the show's special wedding-themed segment, giving audiences an unusually personal window into the actor's off-screen life.