Sagarika Ghatge recalls first meeting with Zaheer Khan, reveals Angad Bedi played cupid: ‘He wouldn’t even talk to me at first’

Sagarika Ghatge, who is best known for her role in Shah Rukh Khan starrer Chak De! India, recently opened up about her love story with former Indian cricketer Zaheer Khan. She shared how they met, how their relationship evolved, and how actor Angad Bedi played a crucial role in bringing them together.
Recalling their first meetings, Sagarika mentioned that a close mutual friend introduced them, but Zaheer initially maintained his distance. "I think we kept meeting, and he wouldn’t even talk to me at first because everyone used to say, ‘You know, she’s that kind of girl.’ I don’t know exactly what they meant by that—maybe that you should only talk to her if you are really serious; otherwise, there’s no point.”
She recalled that their early exchanges were limited to polite greetings and that she perceived him as a gentleman. However, as they continued to meet frequently, their bond grew stronger. "It was always just a simple ‘Hi, hello.’ I always thought, ‘Oh, he’s such a gentleman.’ And that was it. But then, obviously, we kept meeting a lot more," Sagarika said in an interview with Bollywood Bubble.

The actress credited Angad Bedi and another friend for playing a key role in bringing her and Zaheer together. “Yes, Angad Bedi also played a very important role in bringing us together,” she shared.
The couple bonded over their shared love for sports, often choosing games over traditional dates. Sagarika also spoke about their competitive spirit, especially when playing paddle tennis. “I always tell them, ‘I don’t want to be in Zac’s team because we will keep fighting!’ If anybody misses a shot, it’s like, ‘Oh, what is wrong with you?’ So, I prefer being on the other side!”

Sagarika and Zaheer announced their engagement on April 24, 2017, and tied the knot in November of the same year.