Bollywood actress Soha Ali Khan recently shared intimate details about her relationship with husband Kunal Kemmu. She revealed how their contrasting approaches to love and affection actually strengthened their bond over time.
The Unconventional Start to Their Romance
Soha described their early interactions as unexpectedly awkward. Kunal would send casual messages asking about her evening plans, but never followed through with concrete invitations. "He'd message saying 'So, what are you doing tonight?' and I'd reply 'Nothing,'" Soha recalled during a conversation with Her Circle. "Then he'd say nothing back, and I'd think 'What a weirdo! Surely you should follow up.' But he never did."
The Ice Cream Incident That Almost Ended Everything
Their relationship faced an early culinary crisis when Kunal finally proposed going out for ice cream. Soha responded that she doesn't eat regular ice cream, preferring fat-free sorbet instead. Kunal's reaction was immediate and dramatic. "He said, 'I don't think we can be friends,' because how can you not eat?" Soha remembered with amusement.
Clashing Love Languages
The couple discovered they express affection in fundamentally different ways. "His love language is food," Soha explained. "He likes to cook, and he likes to feed people. That was a big hurdle in our relationship."
For Soha, love manifests differently. "For me, loving someone is not feeding them. It's probably conversing, looking into their eyes, something like that." Despite these differences, they found ways to appreciate each other's unique expressions of care.
Understanding Love Languages
Tanni Choudhury, a faculty member at Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences, explains that people typically express love through five primary languages. "While you and your partner don't need to have the same love language, it is important to communicate in their respective love language to make them feel most loved," she told indianexpress.com.
The Five Love Languages Explained
Words of Affirmation: This involves verbal compliments and appreciation expressed through simple, straightforward statements. Examples include saying "You look radiant in that dress" or "I really appreciate your washing the dishes tonight." Writing love letters or setting goals to compliment your partner regularly can strengthen this connection.
Quality Time: This love language centers on giving undivided attention and engaging in quality conversation. When two people share their needs, feelings, and desires in a sympathetic, uninterrupted manner, they express this powerful form of love. Activities like taking walks together or scheduling regular dinner dates help create lasting memories.
Receiving Gifts: For some people, gifts symbolize thoughtfulness and care. The value lies not in the physical object but in the thought behind securing and giving the gift as an expression of love. DIY gifts or small, thoughtful presents can effectively communicate affection to someone with this love language.
Acts of Service: This language involves performing helpful activities that share life's responsibilities with your partner. These individual actions express affection through practical support. One approach includes making a list of your partner's requests and selecting one each week to fulfill as an expression of love.
Physical Touch: Hand-holding, embracing, and kissing communicate emotional love for those who value physical connection. Simple gestures like putting your hand on your partner's shoulder while pouring tea or giving a hug when they arrive home can powerfully express care and affection.
Making Different Languages Work
Soha and Kunal's story demonstrates that contrasting love languages don't have to create barriers in relationships. Instead, understanding and respecting each other's preferred ways of giving and receiving love can build stronger, more resilient partnerships. Their journey from awkward messages to a solid marriage shows how differences can complement rather than conflict when approached with patience and understanding.
