Lights, Camera, Romance: Nidra and Prantar go from reel to real
Some connections are simply meant to be. For Nidra Dey Neha and Prantar Dastider, it all began on the set of Goutam Koiri's directorial web-film "Antonagar" (2023). When they first worked together, little did they know that the film would change their lives forever.
"This project will always be special to both of us," shared Prantar. "Whenever we think about how we got together, it feels like it was destined, as Prantar had no plans of becoming an actor; rather, he wanted to pursue direction," added Nidra.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. What began as an on-screen pairing soon blossomed into a real-life bond. They tied the knot on January 31, last year, that too at the very place where they first met.
"It wasn't love at first sight, but I liked him from the beginning, and wanted to know him better. Working together gave us more time, and the moment I was sure about my feelings, I knew that I was going to marry this man!" Nidra said excitedly. "I was the one who confessed first, which actually surprised Prantar."
Prantar took some time to confirm if Nidra truly wanted a lifelong commitment. "I knew she was head over heels, and so was I. However, I needed to be sure she was ready for this journey with me," said the actor, who made his silver-screen debut with "840".
Nidra entered showbiz through Miss Universe 2020, where she placed in the top ten. She was crowned Miss Photogenic Bangladesh 2020 and went on to feature in top-brand TVCs, ramp shows, and acting projects. Last year, she made her film debut with "Shoroter Joba".
As we spoke, they expressed their love and care for each other, with a hint of teasing. "He's an incredibly supportive partner," Nidra shared. "He understands whenever I'm home late—that's the advantage of being in the same profession. At the same time, he ensures that I'm comfortable and well-rested after a long day on set," added the "Adhunik Bangla Hotel" actress.
While this side of her husband won her heart, Prantar shared his admiration for Nidra's cooking. "She's an amazing cook and completely, changed how I eat. I used to rush through meals, mixing and swallowing to save time. But she taught me to savour each dish separately and appreciate that eating is an art."
Nidra shared her surprise at observing Prantar's newfound love for pets after marriage. "He never had pets before and was initially a bit uneasy around animals, though he liked them. But once, while I was away for a shoot, he bonded deeply with our cat, Fighter. That really impressed me. Now, with three cats and a dog, he loves them as much as I do—and that makes me fall for him over and over again."
Like any other couple, do they argue? "Definitely", Prantar admitted. "But we have a rule—no matter what, we will never disrespect each other," Nidra added, "When we fight, we don't blame each other; instead, we focus on finding the root of the problem. But since I'm the short-tempered one, I tend to have outbursts of anger."
For their first Valentine's Day together, Nidra surprised Prantar by decorating the entire room with hundreds of balloons. "Being an asthma patient, I blew over 200 balloons myself just for him," she shared. Prantar added, "Nidra is expressive, while I'm the opposite. But as we continue this journey together, we're gradually becoming more like the other every day."
Despite working on multiple projects together, including "Shokher Nari", Nidra and Prantar couldn't collaborate on a Valentine's Day project this year, even after receiving offers. "My father has been diagnosed with cancer, and I'm dedicating my time to him—from his treatment to overseeing everything," Nidra shared.
However, they will reunite on an upcoming fiction by Mehdi Hasan. "I enjoyed shooting this project the most because there was a scene where I had to beat Prantar—I gave it my best shot by channeling all the annoyance I had toward him," Nidra laughed.
Having recently wrapped up a web-series, Prantar is now gearing up for his next film shoot.
As colleagues in the same industry, they appreciate, critique, and advise each other. "Nidra helps me prepare for roles by guiding me on the right amount of effort to put in—neither too much nor too little. I believe this has made my performances more impactful," Prantar shared.
Despite their busy schedules, they make time to watch each other's work and offer feedback. "I loved his performance in 'Tithidor', but I deliberately avoid some of his projects that I feel I shouldn't watch as his wife," Nidra shared. Prantar, however, believes that whatever happens on-screen is part of their profession and never takes it personally.
Prantar mentioned that one of Nidra's finest performances, in his opinion, was in "Hasher Salon", an episode of "Adhunik Bangla Hotel".
Nidra and Prantar's relationship is built on mutual respect, shared passions, and immense support, both on and off-screen.
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