Kabir Bedi and Parveen Dusanj: A Love Story Defying Age and Stereotypes
Veteran Bollywood actor Kabir Bedi tied the knot with British-born producer and researcher Parveen Dusanj on January 16, 2016, after nearly a decade of being in a committed relationship. At the time of their marriage, Kabir was 70 years old, while Parveen was 41, marking a significant 29-year age difference between the couple. This union followed Kabir's divorce from his third wife, Nikki Bedi, in 2005.
Parveen Dusanj, a London-based researcher and producer, has frequently been acknowledged by Kabir as one of his strongest pillars of support. In a candid conversation with Radio Nasha, the couple revisited their unique love story, from their first meeting in London to navigating differences in age and life experience.
The First Meeting: A Chance Encounter in London
When asked about their initial encounter, Kabir Bedi recalled it vividly. "Yes, of course. The beginning was in London. I was performing in a play at the Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End. It's a big theatre — around 1,700 seats, with multiple balconies and box sections," he said.
"After the show, there are usually invitations to different gatherings and parties. So I attended one such party — and that's where I met Parveen. She hadn't come there to meet me. She had accompanied a friend who wanted to become an actress and wanted to meet me. Honestly, I wasn't particularly interested in her friend. But when I met Parveen, something felt different. There was an instant connection — though initially, we were just acquaintances."
Overcoming Initial Stereotypes
Parveen Dusanj admitted that she initially judged Kabir based on his profession. "He was being very charming and polite to my friend — very sweet, very engaging. I was sitting there observing everything. At that time, I had a very serious job. I worked with the government on social policy research. I had no connection to the film or acting world," she explained.
"So yes, I stereotyped him. I thought, 'He's an actor — probably shallow.' I didn't know any better at the time. He knows this!" she added with a laugh.
However, her perception began to shift during their conversation. "But then he started talking about going to Holy Island in Scotland that weekend — this beautiful little island. That caught my attention. It felt unusual. Then he mentioned that his mother had become a Buddhist nun. That really surprised me. I thought, 'Okay, this is interesting... maybe there's more depth here than I assumed.'"
From Friendship to Deep Love
Kabir Bedi revealed that when he realized he was attracted to Parveen, he chose honesty. "When I realized I was attracted to her, I was very honest. I told her clearly that my marriage had recently ended and I wasn't ready for a serious commitment. I said, 'If you want something casual, that's fine. But I'm not ready for a long-term commitment right now.'"
Parveen was equally clear in her response. "And I told him just as clearly — I don't do casual relationships. It's better we remain friends."
Kabir added, "And that's exactly what we did. For about four to six months, we were just friends. But life has its own way of bringing people closer. Slowly, that friendship turned into love — and it became something very deep and meaningful."
Navigating Age Gap and Past Marriages
Addressing the age gap and Kabir's past marriages, Parveen explained why she chose to stay in the relationship. "That's a good question. I went into this relationship with my eyes wide open. There was history. There was baggage. It would have been foolish to ignore that," she said.
"But what made me hold on was that he is a genuinely good, decent human being. Even after three marriages, he still believed in love. He wasn't bitter. He wasn't cynical. He was still optimistic. He still believed in the power of love and marriage. I found that incredibly beautiful."
Kabir, too, spoke about why he chose marriage again. "If I didn't believe in marriage, why would I keep getting married? If I wanted to be single, I would stay single. By that stage in my life, I knew I wanted companionship. Yes, being single has advantages. But the depth of companionship and love you get in marriage — you don't get that in a casual relationship."
"We build a life together. We are aligned in many ways. I have my strengths and weaknesses; she has hers. But together, we are better."
This heartfelt revelation from Kabir Bedi and Parveen Dusanj offers a glimpse into a relationship built on honesty, mutual respect, and a shared belief in love, transcending societal norms and age differences.
