'Our marriage will last,' say 'Perfect Bride' winners

Things may not be so real in a reality show, but winners of Perfect Bride Hitesh Chauhan and Rumpa Roy, who became India's first couple to get married on television, claim that they will do everything to make their marriage last.

Although the couple hooked up on a television show, they pledge that their bond is real and will strive together to keep their marriage intact.

"If you really want to make your marriage a success, you can. If problems crop up, you can solve them with love. We will keep our marriage alive. My mother also bonds well with Rumpa, which is an added support," Hitesh told PTI.

Gurgaon-based designer Rumpa claims that she is really in love with Hitesh and will work towards a happy married life with him. "People find his anger repelling but I like his 'angry young man' image. I think he is very honest and a straightforward person. I really love him and we would have married outside if it hadn't happened here," said Rumpa soon after winning the Lux Perfect Bride title on Star Plus.

Even though both Hitesh and Rumpa claim that marriage was the only thing on their mind when they came on the show, they do confess that they were carried away by the novelty of the idea. "I was quite fascinated with the idea of a fairytale marriage on TV," said Rumpa.

Rumpa's words are echoed by Hitesh, who said, "Yes, I was quite excited about being seen on TV and having a real marriage onscreen."

While Rumpa had been gearing up to get married even before she decided to come on the show, Hitesh had not given it a thought until he landed up on the audition sets.

"My coming on the show was totally co-incidental. I had gone to the audition sets of Star Plus to retrieve a mobile phone, but landed up becoming a contestant myself," said Hitesh. Even though he was initially inclined towards another contestant Pooja Tandon, Hitesh claims that Rumpa was always his and his mother's first choice.

"I had liked Rumpa in the beginning. But Gaurav took her on a date at first and then I got paired with Pooja," said the Chandigarh-based lawyer. Even though she has emerged a winner, Rumpa does not see herself in another show in the future and will concentrate on her profession instead.

"I am a designer working with a leading export house right now. I can use the fame and contacts that I got through this show to progress in my field. Otherwise I am a very camera-shy person and do not wish to star in any more shows," she said.