Fresh off the success of Dhurandhar, Arjun Rampal is in a reflective, open phase — both professionally and personally. The actor has confirmed his engagement to longtime partner Gabriella Demetriades and, in a candid chat on Rhea Chakraborty’s podcast, spoke at length about coparenting, growing-up kids, and the evolving dynamics inside a modern blended family.
“Parenting is the biggest challenge”
Arjun described parenthood as a journey that constantly shifts shape. From being everything to his daughters Mahikaa and Myra when they were younger, he now finds himself stepping back as they build their own worlds.
He spoke about how parenting changes once children grow older — friendships, emotional experiences, even conversations about relationships become more private. As a parent, he said, you move from being the centre of their universe to more of a quiet safety net — always present, but no longer inside every conversation.
A warm, easy bond with Gabriella
What stood out most was Arjun’s honesty about his daughters’ relationship with Gabriella. He shared that Mahikaa and Myra share a friend-like comfort with her — something he genuinely appreciates.
“They get along really well,” he said, adding with a smile that while he wants to be that easygoing friend too, he’s still a bit old-school at heart.
Gabriella echoed the sentiment, explaining that there was never any pressure placed on the girls to accept or “respect” her in a forced way. Instead, the family allowed the bond to form naturally, at its own pace. She described the girls as fun, warm, and emotionally aware — joking that she might be the “Gen Z” of the house.
A modern coparenting setup
Arjun was previously married to Mehr Jesia, with whom he shares Mahikaa and Myra. The two separated in 2019 after 21 years together and continue to coparent their daughters.
He met Gabriella through mutual friends in 2018, and their relationship grew steadily. The couple welcomed their first son Arik in 2019, followed by Ariv in July 2023 — completing a family setup that Arjun describes as balanced, honest, and evolving.
Final Words
Arjun Rampal’s reflections feel refreshingly real — no grand statements, no perfect-family illusions. Just an actor acknowledging that parenting isn’t about control, but trust, space, and showing up when it matters. And in a world where blended families are increasingly common, his words strike a quietly relatable chord.
