Happy Valentine's Day 2025: A relationship isn’t about matching someone else’s standards, says Manas Shah

Love is definitely in the air as today is the much-awaited Valentine’s Day. Actor Manas Shah, who is best known for his role in shows like Tulsi-Hamari Badi Sayani and Yeh Hai Chahatein, spoke exclusively to Desimartini on the occasion of Valentine’s Day.

He said, “It feels that social media plays a big role in damaging relationships. He believes that people often start comparing themselves with what they see on social media platforms and try to become like them. We often start comparing our relationships with others, especially when we see our favourite celebrity couples on social media. It creates a feeling that our own relationship should also look like that.

But the truth is, everyone has a different definition of their dream partner. No two relationships are the same, and they shouldn’t be. You should focus on the person you are with and believe that they are the best for you. A relationship isn’t about matching someone else’s standards; it’s about building your own bond”.

In the same breath, he added, “Every relationship goes through ups and downs; that’s natural. The important thing is to handle those challenges with maturity and understanding. In fact, it’s during tough times that you truly realise how strong your relationship is and how far it can go. Comparing your relationship to the ones you see on social media can definitely have a negative impact.

Social media only shows the happy and perfect moments, but real relationships are much deeper than that. Instead of chasing an illusion, it’s better to appreciate and nurture what you have in real life”.

When asked whether he believes in keeping his relationship private and said, "If personal life becomes public, then what’s the point of calling it personal? I have observed that, due to various pressures, people have started sharing everything on social media. If you take a moment and observe, you’ll see that this is happening everywhere.

Vacations, honeymoons, weddings – many people are doing these things not just for their own happiness but to make sure they can post about them on social media. The priority has shifted. Instead of focusing on how to truly enjoy and celebrate these moments, people are more concerned about how they will look on social media."

Touching upon the aspect of love in the times of social media, he said, "Social media also creates an illusion; most of the happy faces you see there are not truly happy. In my opinion, at least 95% of them are fake. Real happiness is visible in a person’s energy and aura, not just in a photograph. I have seen people smile for a picture and then not even speak to each other afterward.

I’m not saying social media is bad, but opinions on social media can be harmful. That’s why I prefer to keep my life private. I know this kind of thinking is rare, but I don’t want to follow what everyone else is doing. I only share something if my heart truly feels like it, not because of pressure or trends”.

Enjoy 35+ OTTs like ZEE5, LionsgatePlay, Ullu, SunNXT, SonyLIV, Fancode and 250+ Live TV channels at just ₹99