Before Nakuul Mehta became a household name with his breakout role as ‘Aditya Kumar’ in Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara, he was just an 18-year-old boy in a dance class. Long before he charmed viewers again as the arrogant yet irresistibly charming ‘Shivaay Singh Oberoi’ in Ishqbaaaz, Nakuul was simply a young man writing poetry, stealing glances, and quietly falling for Jankee Parekh, the girl who would become his wife, best friend, and biggest cheerleader.
Now, Nakuul and Jankee have welcomed a new member to their family. The much-loved couple welcomed a daughter on August 15, 2025, whom they lovingly named Rumi, and fans couldn’t be happier. As they embrace this new role with love and grace, let’s take a look back at the heartwarming love story that brought them here.
The dance class that started it all for Nakuul Mehta
While being on the show, Couple of Things, Nakuul Mehta talked about meeting his wife Jankee for the first time. Back then he had thought if he got married to her, his life would become amazing. At 18, Nakuul Mehta was an economics graduate interning at the Bombay Stock Exchange, unaware of what the future would hold for him, until he met a girl in his dance class. It was Shiamak Davar Dance Summer Camp where he first saw Jankee. She was dancing in front of him, and for Nakuul, it was love at first sight and it kept growing until he managed to make awkward introductions with her.
The awkwardness felt by Jankee Parekh
Nakuul Mehta has time and again shared about initially being friends with Jankee and how the couple eventually started to date. Accordig to the actor, he always liked but they started as friends and that eventually blossomed into love for her as well. While Nakuul was already playing the wedding shehnai, Jankee fondly remembered the awkwardness she felt when she met him for the first time. He had been featured in a Sprite ad and was a known face among her friends. Nakuul, however, was relentless with his efforts. He got her landline number and that is how their friendship.
Nakuul Mehta and Jankee Parekh did not have a traditional relationship
The actor has frequently mentioned that the two were never the traditional man-woman in a relationship. In three-four years of their relationship, she was paying more income tax than he was earning. Nakuul mentioned that when they started dating, she used to drop him off at his home. They didn’t have any gender discrimination for that matter in their relationship, and whosoever felt it was suitable for him/her, would pay on their dates. She came from a very well-to-do family, while he was from a service class background. However, Jankee never made him feel any less of a man.
The family disapproval and Jankee Parekh’s unyielding love for Nakuul Mehta
Nakuul has time and again shared anecdotes from his love story with Jankee via social media, making everyone gush over the couple. In one such stories, he shared how, after dating for 9 years, he had wanted to take it forward and get married to Jankee. She came from a traditional Gujarati family and her parents were hesitant as he wasn’t Gujarati or a businessman. Instead he was an actor, a not-so-traditional profession but she was unrelenting. Finally with her courage and trust he spoke to her parents until they were convinced.
The midnight proposal at Marine Drive by Nakuul Mehta
Nakuul and Jankee had a proposal straight out of romance books. At 2 am on Marine Drive, with his father’s engagement ring in hand, Nakuul recited a five-page poem and went on one knee to propose to her. She said yes! Soon, the wedding bells rang and they tied the knot in 2012 but in typical ‘Jankee-Nakuul’ style, it was a low-key, heartfelt, and unpublicised wedding. They didn’t want it to overshadow the beginnings of his career.
Nakuul Mehta and Jankee Parekh’s ever-growing love
Jankee had once recorded ‘Tum Se Hi’, the hit song from Jab We Met, on her laptop and gifted the CD to Nakuul as a Valentine’s Day gift. Nakuul, in an interview with, Pinkvilla shared that he still has the CD with him. Similarly, to impress her, he learned bachata, a dance form she loved. The actor has time and again spoken about how they encourage each other to do well in their respective career. And they continued to be the anchor for each other.
Nakuul Mehta and Jankee Parekh’s journey to become parents
In February 2021, Nakuul and Jankee embraced a new chapter. They became parents to a baby boy they lovingly named Sufi. Nakuul on Star Vs Food Survival talked about his relationship with his wife and his son. He said, Jankee and he, share a ‘very beautiful’ relationship. There is ‘so much respect’ in their relationship, and then Sufi came into their lives. Their journey into parenthood was tender, overwhelming, and deeply grounding. The happiest moment came with the strongest battle, when Sufi underwent hernia surgery as a baby. Recalling the experience Jankee shared via Instagram:
“Just the thought of having my little one having to undergo a surgery under general anesthesia broke my heart.”
Nakuul Mehta and Jankee Parekh’s podcast journey
Together, Jankee and Nakuul host The Indian Parent Pod, a refreshingly honest and candid podcast that dives into the realities of modern-day parenting in India. From navigating toddler tantrums and sleep schedules to discussing mental health, identity, and gender roles in parenting, the couple shares their personal experiences with their audiences. The show is known for its warmth, wit, and vulnerability. It’s a parenting guide and a peek into their evolving partnership as parents and people.
Jankee Parekh and Nakuul Mehta welcomed their second child, a baby girl
Nakuul has attributed Jankee as his greatest joy while Jankee has called him their anchor and her everything. In his Instagram caption, for their wedding anniversary, he wrote, ‘You chose to spend each day of this life with me is my greatest good fortune’. They have known each other for more than half of their life and believe it’s just the beginning for them. The couple had announced their second pregnancy back in June 2025 and on August 15, 2025 they welcomed their second child, a baby girl they lovingly named Rumi.
Nakuul and Jankee share love that has quietly endured across decades and promises to shine for many more to come.
Also read: Nakuul Mehta On How Jankee Taught Him To Be An Equal Partner, ‘She Was Paying More Income Tax…‘