Even as kids, we knew we’d always love each other: Vinay and Akshatha Gowda

Vinay Gowda and Akshatha’s love story is bound to be one of envy for all those aspiring to, one day, find true love. “Akshatha and I met when we were very young. She lived in Chikkamagaluru and I would meet her every time my father had to visit the area. That’s how it began,” he explains.
However, when they were in college, meeting became a challenge. “Akshatha used to stay at the police quarters in Chikkamagaluru. I would ride across NICE Road as often as I could to meet her. Her father was very strict. On the days he was around I would only be able to catch a glimpse of her while she was standing near the gate just to say hi to me,” says Vinay.

‘I don’t think there was an official proposal’“Our relationship bloomed over so many years and so organically, that I don’t think there was an official proposal between us. Being together was a given. My house was close to the arterial road, and once it was constructed and ready for use, these roads became our adda. We went on long bike rides, chatting away all the time. Back then, these roads also had a few small eateries where we used to relish chaats like pani puri and bhel puri. These eateries had to go once the toll gates came into place,” says the actor.
‘The toughest times were when we couldn’t see each other’“Due to concerns by our families, there was a point when we could not meet for four years. Vinay was sent to stay in Mumbai at that time, but our love for each other never faded. Once we managed to get in touch again, there was no looking back. We got married at a temple in RT Nagar. It was a simple marriage, attended by very few people,” says Akshatha.