I once said I’d never marry, but I did: Padmapriya opens up about husband Jasmine Shah

Actress Padmapriya recently opened up about her life partner, Jasmine Shah, revealing that it was his ideology and values that first attracted her. Jasmine, a leader of the Aam Aadmi Party and the author of 'The Delhi Model', is known for his commitment to public welfare and progressive policies.

In an interview with The Week, Padmapriya shared that while they share similar perspectives, she never imagined Jasmine would enter politics. “The day I met Jasmine, I had already decided in my heart to marry him. But I didn’t know he would enter politics—he didn’t know either. The only thing I was certain about was that he would never do anything to harm another person. We both come from middle-class families, and that shared understanding of values drew me to him,” she said.

Padmapriya highlighted the mutual respect and independence that define their relationship. “As a partner, I do not interfere in Jasmine’s political stances. I am not an active political participant, and his association with a party does not impact me in any way. Tomorrow, I could vote for Congress or any other independent candidate. That’s the beauty of a healthy relationship. What binds us is our shared belief in diversity, inclusion, and equal rights for everyone,” she explained.

The actress also praised Jasmine’s principled approach to life, saying his choices reflect his values. “If Jasmine had chosen to pursue a corporate career using his academic qualifications, he could have earned a high salary and lived a luxurious life. But this was his choice, and it’s this value system that connects me to him. From the day I first met him, I admired his integrity and principles,” she said.

Encouraging readers to explore Jasmine’s work, she added, “Jasmine’s book 'The Delhi Model' is something I recommend to everyone. I’ve been with him throughout his journey as a writer, witnessing his growth and being a part of it. He has actively contributed to several government policy changes aimed at public welfare. His entry into politics was driven by the desire to create meaningful changes for the betterment of society.”

On a lighter note, Padmapriya confessed, “Yes, my partner is physically attractive, but it’s his ideas that captivate me the most.”
Reflecting on her own journey, she concluded, “I have the heart of an artist, and that’s not what politics demands. Yet, I can never say never. I once said I would never marry, but here I am, married. I said I would never join films, and then I did. I even said I would never return to films, but I came back. Life is unpredictable, and whatever I pursue, I will give it my all.”