Revamping the dream of a lifetime

It is not often these days that a college romance fructifies into wedlock. Corporate Citizen unlocks the story of love that has culminated into marriage, for we believe in the stability of a relationship and family unit. We bring to you real-life romances that got sealed in marriage

Mumbai based couple Chirag Chaddha and Gunjan Ladiwal are partners in life as well as at work. Revamp Studios, their very own digital marketing and design studio is a one-stop platform for PR, branding, advertising and video production, thereby combining their respective fortes in the field of advertising

This Mumbai couple just had enough time to complete their nuptials right before the government announced a statewide lockdown on the backdrop of the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic, a disaster of the proportions unseen for well over a century. "We could not even spend time in a hotel, let alone go for a honeymoon," reminisces Chirag. "We've been home since lockdown."

Lest that sound dire, he hastens to assure you that it isn't entirely a bad thing. "Thank God we were married and together, instead of engaged and apart," he says. Besides, the learnings were many and valuable. "I learnt the value of family and loved ones (thanks to the fact that the entire building has three flats with his relatives living close by) and making the best of the situation."

On her part, the energetic and go-getter Gunjan says she learnt how to let go of things and situations that couldn't be managed in a single day. "I realised there is value to simply chilling and letting things go," she smiles.

Above all, the duo spent quality time together and that helped even their work life.

But more on that later.

"She is the kind of a person who blends in easily, accepts people and makes a genuine effort to get along with them"

— Chirag

A proposal to remember!

Back to the beginning

This love story was first scripted in a Mumbai-based ad agency where Gunjan worked as senior creative director. That's when Chirag joined them as a consultant. "Our work entailed us working together on multiple projects. From the outset, we just gelled really well-first as professionals, then as friends. In a few months, he asked me out on a date," shares Gunjan.

And while there's much ado about that old truism 'opposites attract', this wasn't quite the case with them, "We are like poles really, albeit with slightly different perspectives," they say.

But, as Chirag would add, it's precisely their respective perspectives and knowhow that encouraged them to start Revamp Studios together. "Both of us happen to share an entrepreneurial streak and have always dreamed of starting our own company. My family owns this longstanding studio that makes me an experienced hand at production. I also happen to have degrees in media, communication, journalism and law. And Gunjan with a background in animation and advertising was the perfect fit workwise. Together, we set up Revamp studio that would not offer digital marketing but the gamut of services from brand building to content writing, video production to events and public relations," he smiles.

And even as the couple went from strength to strength workwise, they decided to take the relationship to the next level and get married

On their parents, both sets of parents were only too delighted. "Despite the fact that he's a Punjabi and I, a Rajput, the support and acceptance from both sides were complete," smiles Gunjan.

"Despite the fact that he’s a Punjabi and I, a Rajput, the support and acceptance from both sides were complete"

— Gunjan

THE MANTRAS OF MARRIAGE

• Understanding
• Sharing dreams and commitment
• Caring for each other's families
• Respecting and cherishing the other's strengths

The couple that dreams together, builds together

The making of 'GuChi' at home and at work

A tight-knit pair, the couple is affectionately known by the acronym 'GuChi' a play on the first few letters of their respective names and a pun on a world famous brand known for highend luxury, quality, reliability and yes, beauty. So even if the period post shaadi wasn't what anyone would have envisaged, the pair says it ensured their gratitude towards all that's truly important in life. "Lockdown was teamwork at its best. She would look after my work, even as I attended an online course. And if she was preoccupied, I would help out with the chores," says Chirag.

And there were compensations. In the form of close family who was on hand to properly welcome the new bride into the family fold with numerous festivities, rituals and good old masti. "From the outset, she has gotten along fabulously with my parents. She is the kind of a person who blends in easily, accepts people and makes a genuine effort to get along with them. That has made life so very easy," observes Chirag.

So how much of a challenge is it to keep a work-life balance considering the couple works together? "It is really simple-provided you make a conscious decision to separate the two. Never let personal fights or disagreements get to the professional space and that's where a united front is absolutely essential," says Gunjan.

On the upswing, working and living together gives them that much more time for creative thinking. "This is critical in a field like advertising where the theme, slogan, USP and approach to a campaign are the key to success," explains Chirag. "Since we began living together, it has become far easier to come up with solutions to tricky questions as well as inspiring approaches to a brand campaign. Since there is no cut off time for work, we could come up with a wonderful idea at midnight and have it executed by our staff the next day," he smiles

Given that they've been married for all of nine months, what according to them, would be the pillars of marriage? "Understanding," says Gunjan. "From that flow respect and acceptance. It's the strongest pillar of a marriage. Unlike him, I am not particularly romantic but it's the little shows of understanding from his side that mean everything to me.

Chirag is equally appreciative of the qualities she brings to the table, not the least her caring ways and nurturing personality. "So much so that even my parents are mostly on her side," he grins.

Fights happen, especially when two strong-minded, opinionated people get together. "So when we do clash, we both give each other sometime to cool off. No one formally apologises to the other; one of us simply says something like 'let's have chai' or 'let's step out in the fresh air, and the other understands that it's time to turn a page," expresses Gunjan. "We revisit the core issue a couple of days later by which time both of us have sufficiently cooled off to be able to take a cool headed decision."

Bringing up baby one day surely!

Like several millennial couples, the duo is particular about having kids only when they are ready. "I would say 2023 would be a good time. Not only would it give us three solid years of togetherness, but it would also contain Chirag's lucky number 23," laughs Gunjan. "On a serious note, we both adore children and are definitely looking forward to our own-when the time is right," she rounds off.