Jay Soni and his wife Pooja are among the audience’s favourites from the current season of Nach Baliye. In an interview with us, they talk about how they fell in love and more...
Was it a case of ‘opposites attract’ with you?
Jay: If you see her, she is so innocent and that’s what I liked about her. You can say, in a way, opposites did attract, but you know, there was a certain connection. And I am happy because when I look in her eyes, I see so much love...
When did you realise that you are perfect for each other?
Pooja: There was no proposal as such because we had an arranged marriage. The first time we met, there wasn’t that much of a connection.
Jay: When we met the second time for a lunch date, that’s when dono ke dil mein ghanti baji and we decided to take it forward!
Some qualities in each other that you love and something you want to change...
Jay: The qualities that I like in her the most are that she takes care of everyone, she never gives up and she never says no to anyone for anything. She is very understanding and supportive and no one can love me like she does. I really don’t want to change anything in her. Oh, she is at times very clumsy! Chalte, chalte kahin bhi takra jati hai! So that’s what I’d want to change.
Pooja: What I love in him is that he is so caring towards everyone. And one thing I want to change in him is that he is quite emotional, so he should balance it out.
Any funny/interesting anecdotes from your honeymoon?
Jay: We have lots and lots of funny as well as interesting memories from our honeymoon! The biggest being that there was one day on our honeymoon that we didn’t spent together. We fought over something and seeing us, no one would say it is an arranged marriage or that they have recently tied the knot — because somehow, there was this comfort level. We actually fought like a husband and wife who’d been married for years together!
We were on a cruise in Europe and we fought in the morning. After some time, Pooja came up to me and said she was headed for the deck and left without me saying anything. We didn’t have cell phones to get in touch, so then I left and explored the port. I came back to the ship in the evening and Pooja was like ‘Where were you? I was waiting for you the entire day and didn’t go anywhere!’ She was obviously angry and just to irritate her further, I said that I had the best time alone, it was so much fun and this was the best day. Yeh sunte hi woh aur bhadki! But then I showed her the little gifts that I had got for her.
Pooja: Then while we were going from Barcelona to Ibiza, our flight got delayed and we actually slept at the airport. Can you imagine, on our honeymoon we were sleeping at the airport? There were so many incidents, it was a total adventure of a honeymoon.
Tell us something about each other that fans don’t know?
Jay: Well, our fans don’t know that we just don’t behave like a husband and wife; we are more like best friends. And we both seem like very simple people but we are full of fun, adventure and are wild a totally crazy couple!
What’s been your toughest moment on Nach Baliye?
Jay: The toughest moment was when Pooja fell, woh awaaz sun kar hi mein hil gaya tha. Upen, Karishma and Aishwarya, who were practising in the next hall, came running to see what happened. She was in pain and cried, so that was really tough for me. Another tough
incident was when the bus was on fire and all the girls were in there.
What’s been your most memorable task on Nach Baliye?
Jay: The most memorable task was when the girls had to keep three things that they cannot live without. And Pooja had kept her wedding ring there, I was so happy and touched, as I was just not prepared for it.
Pooja: Ditto!
How did your family react to your participation in the show?
Pooja: Everyone was very supportive and they encouraged us a lot.
Jay: Pooja was a surprise package. No one had expected she would be so amazing.
This was your first time in front of the camera, Pooja. How was your experience? Were you nervous?
Pooja: I was very excited and at the same time, I was very nervous initially. I mean everyone noticed how nervous I was during my first performance! Forget about performing, I couldn’t even talk in front of the camera! But then, I got the hang of it and gained confidence.
