Even though the world is going through a terrible phase due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is heartwarming to see that it has not affected the positive light that shines through the power of strong relationships. One such relationship that we saw flourish recently was that of TVF Founder Arunabh Kumar, whose company just gave a hit web series called Panchayat to the audience, and his girlfriend Shruti Ranjan. The couple who have been dating each other since 2013, recently announced their engagement, giving the newly coined phrase, 'love in the time of corona' a new meaning.

Arunabh and Shruti met seven years back when he had barely begun his TVF journey. Kumar and his teammates were shooting at a college and since he had extremely limited budgets for his videos, they would ask the people around to participate and that is how Shruti came into Arunabh's life.

The two fell in love and have been by each other's sides ever since.

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ENGAGED- Happy to share with the world, one of the happiest events in my life. 😊 It was in the summer of 2013, when we were a total 5 ppl in our garage office when we used to shoot zero budget videos. We were shooting for a spoof called "Shit Engineers Say" and requesting any girl to shoot for a scene in it. She was doing her MSc. in IIT Bombay and obliged. Thats how I met her. She never wanted to be an actor but thanks to my interest in Environment Science & hers in Photography that we started talking. She happened to see my office and told me that "oh you are still a struggling filmmaker." I had no money, no work and very few ppl knew me or TVF's work. She was paying the bills from her Stipend for our dinner & movie dates, while I was barely even giving her time. She decided to drop out of Phd, from IIT Bombay & pursue photography and spent some time with Tracy in my office as her assistant. She saw my extra busy life & like any couple, We broke up a few times, but she was always there as constant, when I had a death in the family in 2014, or when I needed to take care of my neice in 2015 or when I was losing my mind in 2016 with so much of work. Life hit me with a brick in 2017, but like my friends and team she still stood by my side, never doubting me and gave me strength to heal and pull myself together. Last 3 years of my life I almost lost the company I built with my blood, sweat & tears, was about to lose sight in my right eye and had definitely lost my confidence. But this is also a phase when I learnt to fight for my team, mentoring them irrespective of therapy sessions, build another team from scratch for comic books, and above all relish all kinds of relationships which matter the most, be it family, friends, team, lover, or simply a well-wisher. I am grateful that the completion of my comic books, Success of our latest show #Panchayat and now this special occasion has all come at the same time. #ShrutiRanjan, I am ready to be in this extended lockdown with you and thanks for giving me the energy to find myself once again and become an improved version of it.

A post shared by Arunabh Kumar (@arunabhkumar) on Apr 22, 2020 at 9:48am PDT

Talking about their relationship, Arunabh says, `We met at IIT Bombay where Shruti was pursuing her MSc in Environmental Science and it was not our love for acting that broke the ice but the discussions we had on Environmental Science and Meditation. She started dating me when I had no money, no work and no one knew me but she was always standing beside me. After, being diagnosed with partial blindness in my right eye because of depression, I actually started seeing things more clearly and what mattered to me the most. While I was racing against my treatment to create comic books and mentoring the team at TVF, we both decided to make our bond official. I am grateful to God and my teams at Indusverse & TVF that the completion of my comic books, success of my company's latest Show Panchayat and my engagement, all have come together.`

Adding further, Shruti Ranjan says, `I remember that I went to meet him at his office back then and thought that it would be a proper work area instead of a bare storeroom like space. But it didn't bother me. I realized he was a struggling entrepreneur and it inspired me. I discovered my love for photography through him after I found a DSLR in his house. He introduced me to Tracy at his office and I began assisting her in Photography projects and found my calling. He has gone through a roller-coaster in his life but I have always believed in him and will continue to do so.`

At the moment, just like all of us, the happy couple is also dealing with the dregs of the coronavirus pandemic. The wedding is slated to happen later this year and the two are busy getting things ready for the same. Speaking on this, Arunabh says, `It is a tough time for the entire human race right now. Everyone is going through this together. People are constantly motivating each other by staying positive and that is exactly what we are doing too. We are looking for the silver lining which is our upcoming wedding and spending our courtship period planning the special day.`

We wish this amazing couple happiness in abundance and may their relationship grow stronger every day.