How Nupur Sanon and Stebin Ben's Love is in Perfect Harmony

Some love stories unfold quietly, away from orchestrated moments and grand declarations—built instead on shared rhythms, mutual understanding, and an instinctive sense of belonging. Nupur Sanon and Stebin Ben’s relationship is one such story: organic, deeply rooted, and shaped by time as much as emotion. Coming from creative worlds that thrive on expression, the two found in each other a space of calm—where ambition met reassurance, and individuality blended seamlessly with companionship.

Their journey began not with spectacle, but with familiarity—conversations that lingered, silences that felt comfortable, and a growing certainty that what they were building was real. As their bond evolved, so did their understanding of love: one that champions patience, respect, and the quiet strength of showing up for one another. For Nupur and Stebin, recognising they were meant to be together wasn’t marked by a single dramatic moment, but by a series of small, meaningful ones that steadily stitched their lives closer.

In this intimate conversation with Manifest, the couple reflects on how friendship laid the foundation for romance, how they navigated the early days of knowing, and the moment they realised this was a partnership they wanted to choose every day. From the emotions surrounding the proposal to the vision behind their wedding celebrations, they speak candidly about creating a union that feels deeply personal yet joyously shared.

On the First Meeting

Nupur Sanon: “I will never forget our first meeting! We tried to meet a few times, but it really just had to happen when it happened—probably after a month of planning. And it was surreal, better than what we had expected.

There was a sense of comfort from the beginning, and the conversations were so fluid. You know how, in the beginning, you’re conscious about how you look, how you speak…you just want to be perfect. But, with Stebin, I didn’t feel that pressure. I felt I could be real. And that credit goes completely to him, because he made me feel like I could be vulnerable, myself, and completely unfiltered.”

Stebin Ben: “I clearly remember the first time we met. It was easy, like two new friends trying to get to know each other. But, even in that first meeting, it felt special. We were fond of each other from the beginning and realised that we had a lot of common interests…and, of course, a similar intention of wanting to genuinely get to know each other.”

On the One Thing They Were Surprised To Find Out About Each Other

NS: “I was extremely impressed by his emotional maturity. In our generation, that old-school kind of love doesn’t exist. And, for the longest time, I felt like I wouldn’t find the kind of love I had to offer. But Stebin is different. He’s someone who had his life figured out in his 20s, and he wasn’t looking to just date… He intended to marry me from the beginning, and he even told me that.”

SB: “Nupur is vastly different from anyone I had met from the industry. She is extremely grounded, cultured, and rooted. She is family-oriented, which really impressed me. It’s rare to see someone living in Mumbai, away from their hometown, yet so connected to their family. Every time I visited her home, she’d be there with her parents. Their bond surprised me in the most beautiful way. What also stood out was how deeply she believes in love, commitment, and genuine connection. That kind of belief is very rare today, and it left a lasting impression on me.”

On The Instant Spark

SB: “We definitely felt an instant spark, because we both were looking for something permanent when we met. So the intention was already there. But relationships take time and space to grow. It took us five years to move from being best friends to becoming life partners. Over time, our trust grew stronger, our families came together, and we became more giving towards each other. Everything unfolded gradually and organically, and that’s what made it real.”

NS: “There was an instant spark, but I also want to say that the relationship kept getting stronger because we both believed in putting in the effort. There were certain rules and non-negotiables that we honestly put on the table. Over these five years, we’ve really respected each other, our values, and what means the most to us and I think that really matters.”

On the Moment They Knew They Found the One

NS: “In the beginning, I didn’t know this was more than an ordinary love. But over the years especially about a year before the wedding, I started seeing these subtle, beautiful changes in him. Stebin began introducing me as his partner, his fiancée, his better half to people even before he proposed to me. Throughout the journey, he has made me feel extremely secure and loved. And our family and close friends also felt the same. People keep telling me how much he loves me. I realised he was my person when I saw how, in small and big things, he started placing me before himself whether it was work, travel, buying something, or making decisions. That made me feel there was someone who placed my happiness, my wants, and my desires above his own. That’s when I knew.”

SB: “I’ll be honest, Nupur has always been the more expressive and giving one in the relationship. She openly shows love, talks about it, and believes deeply in it. I’m someone who feels a lot but keeps it inside. The moment I knew this was more than just love was when she started talking about the future family, life, and what love truly meant to her. Hearing how deeply she believed in these things made something very clear to me. That’s when I knew this wasn’t just love, this was my person.”

On How They Make Each Other Better

NS: “Being with Stebin has taught me patience and trust. It showed me that love doesn’t need chaos or drama to feel real.”

SB: “It’s taught me to be selfless, to give more, and to believe deeply in love. It’s taught me consistency showing up every day and staying rooted in family values.”

On The Proposal

SB: “The proposal was very sudden and organic. I didn’t want it to feel over-planned or scripted. We were on a yacht with close friends and family, and that’s where I decided to surprise her. She’s very smart and sensed something was coming, but I still tried my best to make it special and honest.”

NS: “It felt deeply real. We were surrounded only by our closest people, and that intimacy made it incredibly emotional. It wasn’t about the setting, it was about certainty. I felt calm, sure, and completely present.”

On Planning Their Grand Wedding Together

NS: “It was important for us to respect each other’s religions and rituals, and ensure both families were happy. I was very involved in planning every detail, venue, food, and decor, but once we reached the wedding venue, we wanted to relax and celebrate. We danced, ate, enjoyed, and truly lived our wedding. We were surrounded by people who loved us. We had a blast and that’s what we’ll remember most.”

SB: “Planning everything together for months with family, friends, and each other was very meaningful. Every detail mattered, from artist selections to rituals. We always wanted to honour culture by having both Christian rituals and pheras…everything was thoughtfully planned.”

On What They Admire About Each Other

NS: “I admire that Stebin is a man of his word. Not once in five years has he let me down. His actions have always matched his words. He has never made me feel insecure or unloved. In every room I walk into, I know my place because of how he has spoken about me and represented me. I’m deeply thankful for the man he is. He’s rare.”

SB: “She is all heart. She believes deeply in love and giving whether it’s to people or animals. She loves dogs, treats everyone equally, and gives without expecting anything in return. That generosity is who she is at her core.”

On What They're Looking Forward TO

NS: “I’m excited to build a life where ambition and emotional presence coexist a home filled with warmth, growth, and shared dreams.”

SB: “I am looking forward to building a strong relationship that can inspire people who believe in love and commitment. Today, people give up too easily. I want our journey to show that love requires patience, effort, and perseverance. Along with that, building ambition, careers, and stability together is something I deeply look forward to.”

Photographs By The House On the Clouds;