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Move over Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma, Mansoor Ali Khan ‘Tiger’ Pataudi and Sharmila Tagore are the real #RelationshipGoals!
Millennials, take heed! We are talking of a time when names of individuals were not coupled together to form sometimes adorable, sometimes weird social media hashtags.
This was even before social media became a rage and began affecting all our relationships in not-so-good ways.
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The Virushka shaadi did remind some people of the Pataudi-Tagore wedding, but the Bollywood-Cricket connection is only the tip of the iceberg.
We narrowed down to some points of comparison between the two couples, keeping in mind the times they lived and loved in.
Royalty of Two Worlds
Think royal engagement, think Mansoor-Sharmila. Tagore belonged to an elite Bengali family and Mansoor Ali Khan was the ninth Nawab of Pataudi... A match made in the royal heavens!
But wait... It wasn’t a match that their families wholly agreed upon. Marrying across professions wasn’t in as much vogue then as it is today.
While Pataudi’s family did not want their heir to marry a film actress known for her bold choices (more on that below!), Sharmila’s family had apprehensions about their daughter marrying a royal.
The two finally married, after receiving the blessings of their respective families, in 1969. The wedding was a star-studded royal affair. Could one have expected any less?
In our day and age, old world royalty has perhaps given way to new world social media royalty.
Fans may see Virat as a typical ‘Dilli ka launda’ but he is definitely social media royalty. Each of his posts have thousands of likes and shares. Anushka is no less with an Instagram and Twitter fan-base of almost 30 million (collectively) and counting.
If Virushka were to write a book, it will be called ‘Lessons in Social Media for Couples’ and, no doubt, it will be a bestseller. Have you seen their perfectly coordinated social media posts since their wedding?
Bold and Beautiful in Benarasi
Talking of the Virushka wedding, how can one forget the recent controversy around Anushka’s red Benarasi saree, designed by Sabyasachi.
Whether you want to pay attention to the details of the controversy or not, you cannot help but admire the lady in red. Where does Anushka get her inspiration from? Perhaps from nobody else but Sharmila Tagore!
To be fair, the Benarasi has been popular among film stars for years. The two actresses, however, do bring their own individuality and elegance to the nine-yard fabric.
If you think a saree isn’t a bold choice, how about a bikini? Tagore wore a bikini in the movie An Evening in Paris in 1967. The look raised many eyebrows; the look was a bold choice for the times.
However, it made way for today’s actresses to sport the bikini without inhibition. Anushka donned a bikini in Ladies vs Ricky Bahl and Badmash Company among other movies.
What a Charmer!
Moving on from the ladies, let’s talk about our two handsome hunks!
Pataudi became the captain of the Indian cricket team at the age of 21, the youngest of them all! Kohli followed his nakshe kadam and became the captain at the age of 26.
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Pataudi and Kohli not only impressed fans on the field but also won our hearts with their adorable ways. Did you know that Pataudi actually sent a refrigerator to Tagore to woo her?
Virat ke kya kehne, besides grand gestures like blowing a kiss to his lady-love across the field and shutting up trolls, Kohli keeps his PDA game strong, referring to Anushka variously as his ‘lady-luck’ and ‘constant’.
But here’s the thing, Virat might be the brand ambassador of several high-street brands today, par Pataudi’s royal style and attitude remains unmatched.
Tough competition, isn’t it?
While we cannot help but go all ‘awww’ each time Virushka makes a social media appearance, Pataudi-Tagore might just take the cake with their old world charisma.
Disagree? Tell us in the comments section.
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