Padmapriya On Husband Jasmine Shah: “He Is Hot… I Was Mentally Married To Him…”
Actress Padmapriya, celebrated for her versatile roles in Indian cinema, especially in Malayalam, recently opened up about her relationship with her husband, Jasmine Shah, in a candid and heartwarming conversation with The Week. Shah, a distinguished policy expert, former Vice-Chairperson of the Dialogue and Development Commission of Delhi and an Aam Aadmi Party leader, has been a pivotal force in shaping public policies. However, according to Padmapriya, his allure lies far beyond his political acumen.
“To me, I was mentally married to him the day I met him,” Padmapriya confessed, reflecting on their serendipitous meeting during their Master’s programmes at Columbia University. “I didn’t know he was going into active politics, and he didn’t know either. I just knew that this person would never do something to harm another human being. It’s those values that connected me to him.”
The couple tied the knot on November 12, 2014 in Mumbai, blending their middle-class upbringings with shared values of inclusion, diversity, and human rights. Padmapriya, who hails from a family steeped in discipline, found a perfect partner in Shah, whose impressive academic credentials include an MPA from Columbia University and a BTech-MTech dual degree from IIT Madras.
She revealed, “Jasmine could’ve chosen a corporate career and earned a fat salary, living a plush life. But he chose a path defined by values. That moral compass is what makes him so attractive to me, apart from the fact that I think he’s very hot, physically!”
Padmapriya emphasised her role as a supportive partner in Jasmine’s political journey. “I am not an active politician by any stand. I can vote tomorrow for Congress or any other independent candidate. What matters is being the best sounding board for each other without imposing ideas. That’s the beauty of a healthy relationship,” she said.
The actress spoke passionately about the significance of public policy, highlighting Shah’s contributions, particularly his book The Delhi Model. “I’ve been part of his journey of writing that book, and it made me realise how much I didn’t know about his work cohesively. As citizens, we don’t often understand the effort and thought behind governance changes. Jasmine has been actively involved in many policy reforms, and his soul and spirit shine through in everything he does.”
While she avoided discussing the AAP explicitly as the Delhi state elections are around the corner in which Kejriwal led party is a major contender and incumbent, she encouraged voters to make informed choices in the upcoming Delhi elections. “Human development is crucial, and people often underestimate the impact of public policy. Free power, for instance, isn’t a freebie—it’s a monumental task that changes lives by enabling social mobility.”
Padmapriya’s admiration for Shah extends beyond his professional achievements. “He’s an active politician of limited interest, but his moral compass guides him. That’s what connects me to him.”
The actress also expressed pride in their shared middle-class roots, which have shaped their perspectives and values. “We’ve grown up with middle-class parents, and it’s that grounding that keeps us connected.”
