Ask singer Akriti Kakar what she is doing now, and she gushes, “Everything that I would love to do and am not able to do in the Bollywood playback space.” She adds, “I’m composing music and, in my own way, creating a pathway for female composers who I wish were more in numbers. I’ve done collaborations with legends like Shankar Mahadevan, Shaan, Usha Uthup, and many more.”

Currently she is on her most exciting collaboration Sohbatein which releases on February 10. “It is our Valentine’s Day special,” she says. The music for the song has been composed by her and the video has been directed by her husband Chirag Arora. It’s a duet with the renowned singer Kumar Sanu.

Personally, Akriti—who is known for her songs Saturday Saturday (Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania), Isski Uski (Two States), etc.—says her best collaboration is with her husband, filmmaker Chirag Arora.

Q. How and when did you meet your husband, Chirag?

A. We met at a common friend’s house on her birthday and spoke for the first time while we were climbing 16 floors of her building due to a power failure. Thanks to that, I heard a boy singing “Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi”—it happened to be Chirag. We met that day… and then didn’t speak or meet for years. When we met again, we started chatting and organically became lovers. Like it was destined to be.

Q. Who played Cupid?

A. Destiny.

Q. What was your initial reaction when you met him?

A. I couldn’t believe that a guy of our age could love ghazals. I found that very intriguing.

Q. What traits of his did you find attractive and vice versa?

A. He was easy to talk to and be with. He was a brilliant listener, especially for me because I talk without filter and bounds. He is not complicated, layered, or spoiled like the usual 20-somethings who aimlessly spend their lives. He used to inspire me, and I tried to do the same for him. Both of us are Delhi-born Punjabis who met in Mumbai. What are the odds?

Q. Who took the initiative to meet?

A. Chirag did. He reached out repeatedly in 2014 to narrate a script of his and wanted to take my opinion on the music. I was busy traveling for gigs and also was judging Saregamapa on Zee Bangla. He thought I was ignoring him, but I wasn’t. He still doesn’t agree (smiles). After that first meeting, we met almost every day. And then there was no looking back.

Q. Where did you guys go for your first date?

A. Smoke House Deli, Pali Hill, Bandra. We didn’t even want to call it a date. Too cliché.

Q. Did he bring anything for you on your first date?

A. No. However, he had already given me a card that read, “You’re old school, but oh so cool.”

Q. Is he a gift person?

A. He’s a moments’ person. For both of us, it’s never been about the price tag. It’s always about doing something special. But slowly, he’s become a gift person; I guess marriage does that.

Q. Who proposed marriage and how?

A. In our case, the parents proposed marriage. We tried to delay it a bit, but nothing worked. But officially, when Chirag wanted to assure me of his love, he booked a restaurant specially for me, organized a dinner for two, and when I entered, the DJ began to play a cover of “All of Me” originally by John Legend. I immediately looked at the DJ, asking him why he was playing the cover. The very next second, Chirag was on his knees and spoke the most beautiful words and proposed to me. The cover that the DJ had played was something Chirag had recorded for me! I obviously cried, and then began our "Happily Ever After." All family and friends joined in celebrating our new journey ahead.

Q. Was there any opposition from families when you decided to get married?

A. My father was only concerned about both of us being in volatile and uncertain professions. But as he grew to know Chirag, all his doubts faded away. Today, he is the son to him.

Q. Did you all fight during your courtship days?

A. We never fought. I found that so odd that we never had fights, and I’d often start a fight about why we never fought.

Q. Who apologizes first (then and now)?

A. Him. Always him. Hahahaha.

Q. How has the relationship evolved from the time you both were girlfriend and boyfriend to being husband and wife?

A. I feel our friendship has deepened and solidified into a bond that I can’t describe enough. He’s my everything now—my girlfriend, father, mother, psychiatrist, health coach, et al. I’ve seen and treasure the kindness he possesses, not just for his family, but everyone in his life. And now, he’s the best father one can imagine to our son, Mehraan.

Q. Who is more possessive?

A. We both are so secure that there is no scope for feeling possessive.

Q. Who is short-tempered?

A. I am.

Q. Who is the spendthrift?

A. Him, but he won’t agree.

Q. What kind of music do you both enjoy?

A. Sufi, ghazals, soulful melodies, and classic (Punjabi).

Q. Would you like to dedicate any song to him?

A. “Lag Ja Gale” is OUR theme song.

Love for me is...

Chirag. And all that he makes me feel. My small world of joy, where I feel safe just the way I am.