Exclusive! It has been great discovering each other: Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya and Vivek Dahiya on 5 years of marriage

Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya and Vivek Dahiya recently celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary. While it’s often said that sustaining a marriage in the showbiz industry isn’t easy, the couple believes that hailing from the same industry has made their bond stronger. Vivek adds, “It’s easier to sustain a marriage when you are from the same profession as there’s a better understanding of the work culture. You can discuss new ideas and gauge things from different perspectives and you can grow together in your field. I believe the core idea on how to sustain a healthy marriage is the same everywhere. But for us, listening intently and having open communication is a must.”

When quizzed Divyanka about what’s her secret to sustain a marriage in the cut-throat world of the glamour industry, Divyanka adds, “We try to maintain a fine balance. When one of us is feeling down or not in a great mood, the other one becomes the support system. The good thing is that we understand who needs to be on which side. I believe having open and honest communication has been our main strength.”

“During last year’s lockdown, it was the first time that we got a lot of time to spend together. We were learning new things, experimenting with cooking and we also watched lots of movies. However, during the recent lockdown, I was thinking to participate in Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 11 and I started working on my fitness levels. Vivek would train me at home and I started taking care of my diet. While he’s a fitness enthusiast, he’s also a strict trainer but eventually, he became lenient with me (laughs),” says Divyanka.

Vivek says, “Once she left for the reality show, I kept myself occupied and later travelled to Chandigarh to be with my parents and brought them to Mumbai. While Divyanka would call and update me about all the stunts she had performed, I was engrossed in the ludo championship with my parents. Our routines during the second lockdown were starkly different.”

To mark their fifth wedding anniversary the couple took a road trip starting from Mumbai and will be covering places like Udaipur, Bikaner, New Delhi and concluding at Chandigarh – Vivek’s hometown. However, the couple who made a quick pit stop in Ahmedabad had to go through a bitter-sweet experience. The couple, who drove down to Ahmedabad on Sunday (July 11), made a quick stop at a petrol pump before retiring for the day. However, much to their dismay, the diesel used was an adulterated one. Vivek shares, “While Divyanka has often been to Ahmedabad, this has been my first time in the city and our first road trip to Gujarat. We were supposed to leave the next day (Monday, July 12) to Udaipur but our car broke down due to the use of adulterated diesel.”

The couple adds, “We were stranded at the petrol pump for close to six hours as we got into a heated argument with the employee present. However, to our surprise, the locals and our fans came to our support and stood by us like a rock till the wee hours. I have been mulling over the option of taking legal action against the owner of this particular petrol pump, but then I would have to come often to the city as my presence will be required in that case. So we are figuring out how to move ahead.”

Divyanka adds, “Our road trip started pretty well but now, we are facing a minor hiccup and we are hoping to get back on the road soon. However, I was taken aback by the way people supported us. We feel blessed to have had such unwavering support from fans and the locals.”

This has been Vivek’s first road trip to Gujarat with wife Divyanka and the actor is all set to indulge in an array of the city’s authentic dishes. Vivek says, “While I relish good food, Gujarati and Rajasthani cuisines have been my all-time favourites. I have always believed that if you want to enjoy the authenticity of a cuisine then you must go its place of origin. This is the first time I got to enjoy and relish the authentic Gujarati thali. Divyanka and I am looking forward to trying a few more signature dishes and special Gujarati snacks.”

Divyanka who has earlier been to Ahmedabad for show promotions has always enjoyed her share of Gujarati cuisine and snacks. Divyanka says, “Every time I have come to Ahmedabad, I have enjoyed the food here. While my favourite breakfast option here is the piping hot fafda-jalebi, I equally enjoy theplas with chhundo (shredded mango pickle). While I try and make theplas at home, recently when I went to Cape Town for Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 11, I ensured that I pack my share of theplas. We have heard of some lip-smacking bun-maska and tea which is a speciality served in the old city and I’m eagerly waiting to enjoy it.”