“She loves me like crazy”

 

COLUMN: Spouse's Turn 

Ram Nair talks about his life with singer Ranjini Jose

Photos by Mithun Vinod

By Shevlin Sebastian

The first time Ram Nair met Ranjini Jose, it was when he was the disc jockey at a friend's party in Thattekad. “As soon as I saw her, I told myself, 'Wow, she looks beautiful,'” says Ram. Ranjini was wearing a green top and blue jeans. However, they did not exchange any words. But later, on Facebook, they became friends. When Ram mentioned that he was hosting a Bacardi party at the Le Meridien in Kochi, Ranjini expressed an interest to attend it. So he gave her passes.

At the Meridien party, Ram's friend, Joseph Chakola told Ranjini, in front of both of them, “Hey, this is Ram, he is one of the best guys in town. I think both of you will make a good pair.”

When Joseph said that, both Ram and Ranjini squirmed in embarrassment. “But later, we realised that what Joseph said was right,” says Ram.

As Ram conversed with Ranjini, she said, “I am not game for any flings.”
Ram said, “I agree with you. I will talk to your dad.” It had been less than a month since Ram had met Ranjini, but he had fallen deeply in love.

So Ram called Ranjini's father, Babu Jose, a film producer as well as financier. “I told him, 'My name is Ram and I love your daughter and want to marry her. I spoke to Ranjini and she said she is willing also. I just wanted to let you know.' Uncle was like, 'Whaaat?', but he was okay with the idea because, as he told me later, he appreciated my courage.”

Ram and Ranjini spent the next few years dating, going to places like Bangalore and Chennai where Ram would do gigs as a DJ. “I remember when I was at the Speed nightclub, at the Grand Orient, in Chennai,” says Ram. “I introduced her to my friends, with whom I had studied at the School of Audio Engineering. She got along well with them. We had a great time. Slowly, our relationship deepened.”

Finally, on January 27, 2013, the wedding took place. And there were three events. Initially, there was a registered marriage. Thereafter, there was a Nair wedding at the Ramada Resort. Finally, there was a beach wedding at Mararikulam beach for their close friends. “It was magical,” says Ram. “After the ceremony, I gave a full kiss to Ranjini.”

At this moment, during his reminiscences, Ranjini barges in, at their home in Kochi, and tells Ram that she has to go for the wedding preparations of her friend, Tanya. “So we need to cut the cake, darling,” she says. It was Ranjini's birthday.

And so, at the dining table, a praline cake is placed. Candles and a couple of sparklers are lit. Ranjini cuts the cake. Both husband and wife exchange bits of cake and kisses on the cheeks. Then Ranjini kisses her mother and father and gives a big hug and kiss for her mother-in-law, as well as her friend Neha. 

Then, for lunch, it is delicious Kozhikode-style chicken biriyani, along with salad, made by Ram's mum in celebration of the birthday. Then Ranjini gives a quick hug to Ram and the high-energy singer was gone, accompanied by Neha.

Asked what he likes most about Ranjini, Ram says, “She is very loving. She keeps track of everything I do. Even if she is busy, Ranjini will still call me and find out whether I had lunch on time. If I went for a business meeting, she would ask whether it was successful.” (Ram is the head of sales and marketing in Kerala for Red Bull energy drink).

Since Ranjini sings at home all the time, there are many days when he awakens to her voice. “My favourite is 'Kadhal Rojave' from Roja [which was originally sung by Sujatha Mohan] and 'Naiyn Tere' from the Hindi film, 'Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey'. [This was Ranjini's debut in Bollywood]. She has a super voice. Ranjini is a talented and dedicated professional and committed to her work. And she is very punctual.”

About Ranjini's negative qualities, Ram says, “She can get possessive at times. Since she is an only child, she is used to getting attention. Plus, we are both short-tempered. So, we have blazing rows. But after our marriage we decided we would resolve our problems before we go to sleep. The next day we want to have a nice and fresh start.”

Since Ranjini has a busy career, there are times when she gets stressed out. “When that happens, I will hug her and give a peck on her forehead,” says Ram. “That calms her down. Once she is with me, she feels relaxed. She loves me like crazy. Nobody has loved me like that.” 

(The New Indian Express, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram)