Dream Team

From advertising to film making, Nitesh Tiwari and wife, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, have had one interesting journey. But success and fame haven't changed them.

- Priyanka Bhadani

At a Bollywood awards function in 2015, bouncers had a tough time keeping out gatecrashers. Amid the chaos, a lanky man stood calmly with his wife and a couple of friends. Unassuming, but carrying VVIP passes, Nitesh Tiwari, whose film Bhootnath Returns was nominated in various categories, waited patiently with wife, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, before a member from the award show recognized them and escorted them to their seats.

But things have changed now, thanks to Dangal. “I am approached more often for a selfie,” says Nitesh, with a laugh. A few weeks ago, the couple with their six-year-old twins— a boy and a girl—were having dinner at a restaurant in South Bombay. “Someone recognized Nitesh as the director of Dangal and came for a selfie. Soon, we were surrounded by people,” says Ashwiny. When the crowd realized she was his wife, they Googled her. “Mobile phones have made it so easy. They realized that I have directed Nil Battey Sannata and then they wanted a joint selfie.”

I met the couple at a sweetshop in Juhu a few days before the release of Bareilly Ki Barfi, directed by Ashwiny and written by Nitesh and Shreyas Jain. The film has become one of this year’s sleeper hits. After completing one interview session inside the shop, Ashwiny got up, saying the air-conditioning was making her claustrophobic. I had earlier bumped into Nitesh at a paan shop in the neighbourhood; originally from Uttar Pradesh, he relishes his pan. And, having an advertising background, they both enjoy a cutting chai from the tapri. So, we went to a tapri next, led by Ashwiny. “We are too used to this ritual,” she says, while sipping the freshly made tea. Even on regular days when they get bored with the “ghar ka chai”, they go to a tapri outside their house in Chembur.