From meeting on a train to shooting Khana Khazana for free; Sanjeev Kapoor and Alyona Kapoor's love story had many hurdles

Sanjeev Kapoor and Alyona Kapoor recollect their love story that began around 35 years ago. The duo have been married for 30 years and they dated for around 5 years before getting hitched. Take a look at the interesting love story with all the drama they had before getting hitched.

The love story happened between Delhi and Banaras. We were travelling in a train and Alyona's sister was working with me and she was travelling to meet Vandana in Banaras. I was travelling to Patna via Banaras so we ended up on the same train. She was feeling cold and I offered my warm hands to her as I didn't have a sweater. When we reached Banaras, Vandana suggested that I take Alyona around the city as she was busy. Alyona said, "We didn't think so much when we met and when he asked if I would join him on his trip to Patna, I went with him for two days."

Initially, we used to meet back in Delhi when Sanjeev used to borrow his brother's car and come. I used to reside in Lodhi estates and former Prime Minister V.P Singh was our neighbour. The house was quite huge to sneak Sanjeev inside and spend time together. Sanjeev added, "Apart from that I was working in the hotel so it was quite easy to bring in guests in the cafe and spend time together there."

Alyona then opened up about the confession and their long-distance relationship, She said, "Sanjeev had to go for two years to New Zealand. Once or twice before that, we went out to spend time and while he was dropping me home I confessed, "I think I am in love with you." Sanjeev replied, "I don't think, I know I am in love with you." This was right outside the gate of my residence.

After the confession, the duo's parents met each other. Alyona shared, "I still don't know what my father spoke to Sanjeev and agreed to our relationship. They both never told me." Sanjeev shared, "Firstly, her house was so huge and then there were just two chairs in the lawn which could fill more than a thousand people at once. In such a situation, obviously, there is tension and a sinking feeling.

After Sanjeev shifted to New Zealand, the duo had a long-distance relationship. Alyona quipped, "We used to communicate through phone calls and majorly letters. We have so many letters that I have still kept. Every day, I used to call the Post Office asking if my letter had come. The officers were done with me." Sanjeev added, "The stamp used to cost $2.5 back then and the phone calls were very expensive. With the first month's bill, I realised that my ticket back to India would have been much cheaper."

Alyona decided to surprise Sanjeev while he was returning to Delhi. She said, "Back then I used to work in a courier agency and I requested my boss to send me to Singapore for work. Sanjeev's flight was supposed to transit from Singapore and I made sure I got a seat right next to him. When I entered the flight, he had a pleasant surprise and we spent that time from Singapore to Delhi." Sanjeev then gave a spoiler, "So while taking the transit flight, I had called Alyona's office and the peon had already told me that she was in Singapore. However, I didn't tell her and acted surprised."

Alyona's father retired from their job and they all shifted to Bombay. Sanjeev then decided to shift to Bombay, "I got an offer and I had an ambition that I have to reach the post of executive chef in 10 years. So when I got the offer, I had a condition that I get the hotel which was in Juhu as Alyona stayed in Juhu. Later, after shifting to Bombay we got hitched and started our married life."

After 5 years of their marriage, Sanjeev Kapoor decided to quit his job at Juhu. Alyona said, "It was just 5 years and our elder daughter was 3 and the younger one was just born when Sanjeev told me that he had quit his job. He had resigned and I trusted him. He used to tell his brother that he was capable of doing much more."

Sanjeev said, "I was afraid, we didn't have any bank balance. Not even a lakh and there was no home, we had two daughters and only Alyona was earning. I knew I would find another job soon. TV had just begun and I was now popular. But I didn't have money. I used to do those shows for free. People in the hotel weren't happy."

Sanjeev said, "I was afraid, we didn't have any bank balance. Not even a lakh and there was no home, we had two daughters and only Alyona was earning. I knew I would find another job soon. TV had just begun and I was now popular. But I didn't have money. I used to do those shows for free. People in the hotel weren't happy."

Sanjeev further shared that he didn't have a penny when he started with Khana Khazana. He said, "I was shooting for free initially. I became popular but I had no money for my family. And then I quit my job and also went to the house with it. Soon the show helped me get back on track. I got the courage to quit my job and came with my brother and Alyona, they supported me in my decision."

Sanjeev revealed how they were supposed to first stay at Alyona's place but his in-laws weren't in favour, "We were supposed to first stay at my in-laws but that didn't happen and a friend of mine came out in support and lent their home to us in the initial days when I had quit my job."