Pankaj Advani: We planned to marry in March 2020, but had to postpone it due to the pandemic

The cue sports champ and make-up artist Saniya Shadadpuri open up about their relationship for the first time after tying the knot on January 6...
The much-celebrated Bengaluru-based cueist Pankaj Advani tied the knot with Mumbai girl Saniya Shadadpuri, a celebrity make-up artist at a gurudwara in Santacruz on January 6. It was followed by a wedding reception at a plush Juhu hotel the next day.Bombay Times got in touch with the couple, especially since Pankaj often made headlines only for his numerous wins and titles as a 23-times world champion in billiards and snooker. The newly-weds give an insight into their romance that came to light with their marriage, this week.
The timing was perfect when Saniya and I met in Bengaluru for the first time: Pankaj
Talking about how it all began, Pankaj says, “Saniya and I met in Bengaluru. It was a coincidence that she came there on a last-minute work assignment and was put up close to my cousin’s house where I was to visit, so the timing was perfect! We ended up talking for four- five hours that night. We really connected and spoke our hearts out.”
Saniya adds, “After that, he just disappeared for three days! When I met him for the first time, I hadn’t read about him enough. But when I did read up on him in those three days, I was eager to meet him even more. I was keen to know the person behind all that he had achieved.”
Things began to fall in place after their first meeting and they got engaged in July 2019. “We had planned on getting married in March 2020, but the pandemic changed all that. In fact, we had to actually postpone the wedding a few times,” reveals the sportsman.
Didn’t want to move out of Mumbai, but it became secondary when I met Pankaj: Saniya
Now that they are married, the couple has plans to move to Bengaluru for good. Saniya, who has worked with celebs like Taapsee, Bipasha Basu and Dia Mirza among others, admits to having had her share of apprehensions.
“My biggest fear was about moving to Bengaluru. I’m such a Mumbai girl, used to the speed and vibe here that I had decided not to move anywhere outside this city. All that became secondary when I got to know Pankaj more,” she says.
“Saniya is well-established and works independently, so we’re confident she’ll make her mark anywhere," adds Pankaj.
The 35-year-old is looking forward to sharing his life with a partner who’s as ambitious as him. “We’re both ambitious as well as family-oriented. While that gets a bit challenging, I believe that’s where the fun is, to figure out the balance together at every step and enjoy this dance between our personal and professional lives,” says Pankaj.