PICS: Sumanth Ashwin ties the knot with Deepika Raju in a fairytale ceremony, opens up about his love story

Actor Sumanth Ashwin tied the knot with research scientist Deepika Raju on Saturday morning at a farmhouse in the city. The actor looked happy, dressed in a traditional white pancha and dhoti, with a turban on his head. The bride looked radiant in a traditional red saree, with gold jewellery adorning her. The couple looked happy as they took blessings from loved ones, including friends and family.

Actor Nag Ashwin is the son of producer and filmmaker MS Raju. The actor made his debut in 2012 with the film Tuneega Tuneega, under his father’s direction. He later went on to act in films like Ketintha and Columbus, with his most recently films being Happy Wedding, Prema Katha Chitram 2 and Idhe Maa Katha (yet to release). Deepika on the other hand has studied bio-technology and is a research scientist based in Dallas. However, she heads from West Godavari and plans to return to India soon.

Just like how most stories in films go, Sumanth met Deepika at a wedding last year. “I met her at my cousin’s wedding; he was marrying her twin sister. We just clicked right then and there. I have never met anyone who’s as warm as her. She even invited me to spend Sankranthi with her family and I just knew I had fallen head over heels for her,” Sumanth Ashwin told Hyderabad Times, adding, “After spending some time together, I just knew she’s the one. She’s the closest thing to perfection for me.”

Despite the couple falling in love, it was their parents who decided that they should be wed. Sumanth tells us, “We’ve been meeting and talking a lot, so our parents spoke to each other without even telling us. She’s a friend first and a fiancé later for me. I am lucky to be wedded to someone as wonderful as her, she makes me feel comfortable.” With the muhurat set at 8:46 AM on February 13, the wedding was attended by 100 of their closest friends and family.

Sumanth admits that the thought of marriage was far from his mind, so his father was more than happy when he finally decided to take the plunge and personally took care of all the arrangements. “The wedding was simple and traditional, but we did celebrate the occasion for three days. There was a haldi, mehendi ceremony attended by only the families. We had a pelli koduku and pelli kuturu ceremony, followed by a cocktail party,” says MS Raju, beaming with pride.

Despite celebrating the union being key of the hour, the couple and their families remain aware of the pandemic. Every guest that attended the wedding, and even the couple, plus their friends and families were tested for Covid-19 before the wedding. “2020 was a difficult year for everybody, while work-wise it was good for me,” says MS Raju, adding, “However, safety is paramount. So we took all precautions.” Even the staff working at the wedding was tested.

Sumanth also interestingly reveals that he was initially supposed to tie the knot in June this year. “Apart from the fact that I wanted to get married to her as soon as I could, as I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with Deepika, we also pre-poned the wedding because she needs to go back to the US,” says Sumanth, with a bitter-sweet smile, adding, “We will be apart for six months and while it’ll be hard, I’ll also be busy with work.

Despite admitting that it hasn’t sunk in yet, Sumanth can’t help but beam as he talks about his bride. “I never thought I would fall in love but life pleasantly surprised me. I always wanted to marry the right person, someone with whom life would be fun. I am sure life will now change for the better, as I found that special someone. Dhoni once said that however the match goes, he looks forward to going back home because he has a wonderful partner. I used to envy that and now I’m lucky to no longer be envious,” he says, rounding off.