Key Points
- Arjun Rampal confirms engagement to Gabriella Demetriades during podcast conversation with Rhea Chakraborty
- Couple has been in a relationship for six years and shares two sons, Arik (born 2019) and Ariv (born 2023)
- Gabriella is a South African fashion entrepreneur of Greek heritage who moved to India to build her career
- She launched sustainable fashion brand “Deme by Gabriella” and a vintage fashion curation platform
- Rampal was previously married to model Mehr Jesia for 20 years, with whom he has two daughters, Mahikaa and Myra
- The engagement was deliberately kept private with no formal announcement or media celebration
The 51-year-old actor dropped the engagement bombshell during his appearance on Rhea Chakraborty’s podcast, where he matter-of-factly referred to Gabriella as his fiancée while discussing family dynamics. This marked the first official confirmation of their engagement, though rumors had circulated for months after fans spotted a ring on Gabriella’s finger at various public appearances. The couple’s decision to keep the engagement private aligns with their consistent approach of shielding their relationship from media scrutiny since they began dating in 2018.
Gabriella Demetriades, 37, brings a rich multicultural background to her role as Rampal’s partner. Born in South Africa to a Greek father and South African mother, she grew up in a household that valued both Mediterranean culture and African resilience. Her Greek heritage is evident in her surname and strong family values, which she has seamlessly blended with her adopted Indian lifestyle. She moved to India in her late twenties, recognizing the country’s growing fashion market and cultural vibrancy as the perfect launchpad for her entrepreneurial ambitions.
Her modeling career began remarkably early at age 16 when she was discovered at a local fashion event in Johannesburg. Within two years, she had walked for major South African designers and appeared on the covers of leading fashion magazines including Elle South Africa and Cosmopolitan. Her distinctive features and confident runway presence caught the attention of international scouts, leading to campaigns in Europe and eventually Asia. However, Gabriella always viewed modeling as a stepping stone rather than a final destination, telling friends she wanted to “create fashion, not just wear it.”
This vision led her to pursue formal education in fashion design at the prestigious London College of Fashion, where she specialized in sustainable textiles and circular fashion economies. Upon arriving in India, she spent two years researching the market before launching “Deme by Gabriella” in 2019, coincidentally the same year she welcomed her first son with Rampal. The brand focuses on contemporary Indian wear using eco-friendly fabrics, natural dyes, and traditional handloom techniques, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers. Her collections have been showcased at Lakmé Fashion Week and featured in Vogue India, establishing her credibility beyond her celebrity relationship.
Beyond her main label, Gabriella launched a vintage fashion platform called “The Vintage Collective” in 2021, which curates and restores classic pieces from the 1960s through 1990s. The platform has gained a cult following among Bollywood stylists and fashion influencers, with pieces regularly spotted on celebrities at red carpet events. Her business acumen has earned her recognition as a serious entrepreneur, with Business Today featuring her in their “30 Under 40” list of promising fashion entrepreneurs in 2022.
The couple’s relationship has evolved organically away from the spotlight. They met through mutual friends at a Mumbai dinner party in early 2018, and their connection deepened quickly. When Gabriella became pregnant with Arik later that year, they chose to embrace parenthood without the formalities of marriage, a decision that raised eyebrows in traditional Bollywood circles but reflected their modern outlook. Their second son, Ariv, arrived in 2023, and throughout both pregnancies, Gabriella continued managing her growing fashion empire while Rampal balanced his film commitments.
Rampal’s approach to his blended family has been notably inclusive. He has spoken in interviews about ensuring his daughters Mahikaa and Myra from his previous marriage feel equally connected to their younger half-brothers. The family often vacations together, with Gabriella sharing a warm relationship with his daughters, who are now in their twenties. During the podcast, Rampal emphasized that “family is about love and respect, not just labels,” explaining his decision to maintain harmony across all relationships.
The timing of the engagement revelation, during his film ‘Dhurandhar’s successful run, suggests Rampal feels secure enough in his professional and personal life to share this milestone. The action thriller, which released in late November, has crossed the ₹85 crore mark at the box office, marking his biggest solo success in years. Industry insiders note that his relationship with Gabriella has brought stability to his life, reflecting in his focused performances and careful script choices.
As of now, the couple has not announced any wedding plans, and sources close to them suggest they may opt for a private ceremony with only immediate family, much like their engagement. Gabriella continues to split her time between her Mumbai design studio, where she employs 25 artisans, and their family home, while Rampal prepares for his next project, a streaming series that begins filming in January 2026.
