February 01, 2026

-

Premium

`IT FEELS LIKE EUPHORIA' FARHAN & SHIBANI AKHTAR

A small ritual that helps Farhan Akhtar and Shibani Dandekar feel deeply connected is what they call the "20-second rule." Whenever one of them asks for "20," the other drops everything -- setting aside the mood they're in, any lingering emotions, or the situation at hand -- and hugs the other for a full 20 seconds, no questions asked. This simple practice, they say, has become a quick yet powerful way to reconnect and feel emotionally grounded with each otherAnd that's why they may say that love lies in the little things. In a popular dialogue from his movie Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, when Farhan's character says, "Mere dost mujhe Majnu bulate hain [my friends call me Romeo]," he plays a young man who falls in love at the drop of a hat. But in real life, for Farhan, it feels like a slow simmer of emotions, vulnerability and intentionality. Shibani, on the other hand, complements his pace, speaking about how centred she feels in this relationship. We chat with the couple on the set of our cover shoot about love, relationship rituals, couple's therapy and more. You both lived through very different chapters before you found each other. What parts of your past do you think helped you build the partnership you have today? Shibani: I was 42 when I got married and had already experienced my 20s and 30s independently. So I was quite excited to share the next chapter with someone. By the time I hit my 40s, I felt like I was prepared and ready to give it everything, knowing fully well that I was committed to being committed, and open to the possibilities of what marriage had to offer. I also met someone who helped me grow as

THE ART OF ELEVATED LIVING

In the world of high-end interiors, few designers balance grandeur and grace with such fluency as Ashmit Singh Alag -- a globally celebrated spatial designer who's renowned for his groundbreaking work in Neuroarchitecture and visual merchandising. He's also a dedicated academic who, along with his brother, founded the Academy of Applied Arts in New Delhi, a specialised institute focussed on bespoke interior design, retail design, and visual merchandising, furthering his commitment to advancing the creative field. A LEGACY OF LUXURY Named among the top 10 luxury residence designers by Forbes and honoured with accolades like the `40 Under 40' title by Design USA in 2015 and the `Wall of Fame' of The Art Institute of Seattle, Ashmit's career reflects both creative audacity and disciplined mastery. With offices in New Delhi and Singapore, he now leads Transform Design, a reputed interior design and architecture consultancySince its founding, the firm has crafted sophisticated, unique residences across six countries. Ranging from exquisite apartments and villas to opulent private palaces, each project seamlessly blends technological innovation with artisanal precision to create homes that showcase their ability to transcend cultural boundaries while maintaining a commitment to luxury and sophistication. With a remarkable legacy that spans 20 years, Ashmit -- and thereby Transform Design -- has mastered the art of crafting exquisite and timeless luxury spaces that captivate and inspire. THE MAYFAIR GARDEN RESIDENCE Ashmit recently unveiled the Mayfair Garden Residence, an interior design project that blends classic design elements with modern functionality -- a space that speaks to both tradition and contemporary sophistication.