Some things just get better with time

Model-actor Nikhat Khan and her significant half Santosh Hegde, a retired corporate professional, are quiet testimony to the timelessness of a long-standing love-one that continues to nurture new dreams and explore new horizons

On days off from her shooting schedules, this couple has an interesting way of spending quality time together. “I practice for forthcoming auditions, and he takes videos of me, gives me my cues and so on,” she smiles. “He’s fairly engaged with my work and eggs me on to go out there, push the envelope just a little more.” This, despite coming from a vastly different world himself-one of pharma and corporate board meetings. (He retired as the CEO & MD, Bilcare Research.)

Nikhat took to acting at a fairly late stage in life. A restless, enterprising soul, she’s dabbled with a lot of things… “I have been an air hostess and pursued my Master’s in Counselling Psychology among other things before finally taking up acting and modelling.” Her regal looks and warm smile have definitely connected with the audience-if the plethora of ads and Bollywood movies (including Saand ki Aankh and Tanaji) are anything to go by in as short a span as three years. Each day is new, and she looks forward to every assignment with excitement-you see, acting was never a given for this lady-and never mind the fact that her roots have been long-embedded in the world of cinema.

Which brings us to the elephant in the room-how much of a challenge is it for Nikhat to be in the same industry as her much-celebrated brother-none other than the legendary movie icon Aamir Khan himself-especially since her entry into the movies is recent?

“Let’s be realistic. I am very proud to be his sister,” she says quietly. “Though that does not mean that I get work because of him. I do my auditions just like any other model/actor would, I am very thankful for the appreciation my work has received since my journey began.”

BACK TO THE BEGINNING

This love story was first scripted on the backdrop of a wildlife safari-specifically Rajasthan’s much-feted tiger reserve-Ranthambore. “I went to see the tigers but ended up falling for a lioness,” quips Santosh. (Nikhat’s zodiac sign is Leo, hence, the affectionate metaphor.)

Recently divorced, he was enjoying a holiday with his son while Nikhat was with a friend-one they happened to have in common. That’s how they got talking, and indeed there was much to talk about: most specifically their mutual love of wildlife and nature. Back in Mumbai, they would go on to meet up again at the friend’s place again. The conversation seemed to flow smoothly and never mind the nine-year age gap between them or the cultural differences; on the contrary, the duo discovered pretty soon that they were very similar in terms of their values and priorities. “We just gelled,” says Santosh. “Besides, there really wasn’t much of an issue adjusting to each other’s way of life, perhaps because we are both tolerant and accepting. We bring in Ganpati with as much enthusiasm as we celebrate Eid. There is grace and beauty in diversity, and it brings much joy to everyone’s life.” What’s more, Nikhat seamlessly took over the responsibility of his 14-year-old son Shravan and Santosh’s ageing mother. “With her entry, so many of my cares simply seemed to ease off. She is a simple, grounded person and that’s amazing about her,” he says.

"With her entry, so many of my cares simply seemed to ease off. She is a simple, grounded person and that’s amazing about her"

- Santosh Hegde

THE MANTRAS OF MARRIAGE

• Acceptance
• Shared values
• Celebrating differences
• Nurturing each other’s dreams

Bollywood star Aamir Khan with sisters Farhat (L)
and Nikhat (R)

THE CORNERSTONE OF A RELATIONSHIP

“Honesty and acceptance are critical as are trust and openness,” they say. It isn’t necessary that one may agree with everything one’s spouse does or says-but it’s important to trust them-and also accept who they are and what they stand for. “You may not think a particular course of action is the wisest or choicest action. But trust their judgement and intention,” says Nikhat.

Like every relationship, this one too has had its share of ups and downs. “Time is the great leveller. You grow into the relationship and let go of what works and what doesn’t. Being a quiet, patient person, I would let things go just to keep the peace. But that isn’t how it should be. And these days, I absolutely speak my mind,” she says. “On the other hand, he’s become more patient and accepting. It’s a very natural transition. As the days pass you become that much more like your partner.”

BRINGING UP THE BABIES

There’s quite the age gap between the two children of the family-Shravan, Santosh’s son from his first marriage, is 36 while Seher is only 21. But Santosh credits his wife with having nurtured both with wisdom and care. “Over time, he’s begun calling her mumma and they share a lovely bond.”

Nikhat says she just tried to be Shravan’s friend-and he accepted her with all his heart. “He has a mother, so I never attempted to replace her. I just wanted to share a close bond with him and he liked that,” she says.

Now in the US, Shravan is a creative director at an ad agency while the younger daughter Seher is training to be an actor

“What is common to the way they were brought up is that we have always tried to reason with them as opposed to dictating to them,” says Nikhat. “There are pros and cons to every decision and if they can live with the consequences, the choices are theirs to make.”

RETIREMENT AND A SPOT OF SUN

The Hegdes are now based in Mumbai despite having enjoyed 14 momentous years in Pune. “Ammi (Nikhat’s mom) is getting on in age and we thought it would be nice to live together. Plus, the shift made sense given Nikhat’s recent but determined forays into modelling and acting.”

But with Santosh by her side, there’s so much more new ground to explore and so much more to do-shoot films, travel and enjoy new experiences.

And you thought new ground is only for youngsters?