Actor Prateik Babbar, now known as Prateik Smita Patil, recently opened up about how he met his wife, actress Priya Banerjee. In a candid interview with Bollywood Bubble, Prateik shared that their love story began on Instagram during the lockdown, at a time when both of them were healing from past relationships

Prateik revealed that after his divorce, he had become bitter about the idea of love and marriage. “After what I went through, I had made up my mind that love and marriage were never an option. I gave it my all in my previous marriage. I stepped up to my role, no matter what life or that relationship threw at me. I wanted to be the best partner. But unfortunately, it didn’t work out. So I was extremely bitter about love and marriage,” he said.

In that state of mind, the actor began following several women on Instagram. “I was very angry at my situation and vengeful. And out of vengeance, I ended up following thousands of pretty women on Instagram. I was like, ‘I was so good in my marriage… now let’s see.’ And ladies, be aware. It was really ladies vs. Prateik… the beast in me unleashed. That was my mindset,” he confessed.

Among the many women he followed was Priya Banerjee. However, for three months, they didn’t exchange any messages. Eventually, Prateik gathered the courage to reply to one of her Instagram stories, and that’s when things began to change.

“For the first three months, we didn’t strike a conversation. But finally, I had the courage to reply to her story and next thing I know, we were going on drives, we were meeting regularly… and the rest is history,” he said.

Speaking about their connection, Prateik added, “I wasn’t looking for it, nor was Priya. We weren’t looking for it, but we were meant to meet at this particular time in our lives. I don’t think it would have worked out if we had met earlier. It had to be at this divine timing.”

He further shared, “She had broken her previous engagement, and I was going through a divorce. That’s when we happened to meet in the lockdown. Kafi logon ke liye lockdown negative raha… kafi logon ki shaadiyaan toot gayi… par humne pyaar dhoond liya aur humari shaadi pakki ho gayi.” (For many people, the lockdown was a negative experience… a lot of marriages broke… but we found love, and our marriage got fixed.)

Today, the couple is happily married, and their story stands out as one of unexpected love that blossomed through healing and chance.

See Also: Inside Prateik Babbar And Priya Banerjee’s Intimate Wedding At Smita Patil’s Home