Hi everyone, I'm Anish Vasani, the editor of Luxris magazine and with great pleasure, I'd love to introduce the beautiful Serva from Love is Blind 2025. And how stunning does she look? >> Thank you. >> Thank you for being part of our cover shoot. You look absolutely sensational. How did you find the shoot today? >> I loved it. I loved every moment of it. I felt that I could be myself. I was glammed up. I was in my element. And these gorgeous outfits are from Lily's Boutique and the jewelry from Saz Jewelry. And we've had an incredible glam hair and makeup scene. Jazz Dylan who you use regularly. >> Absolutely love her. >> And the lovely Aman who's done the hair and we're here at Mova, a beautiful restaurant. And it's just been a phenomenal day. And honestly, I can't wait for you guys all to see the incredible looks. But we just haven't had Sora as part of the shoot. We've had her lovely mom bow as well. And we'll be talking about that later. But she looks sensational as well. So sa everyone has gone crazy about you. You have been the hot topic of 2025 and now in 2026 talking about love is blind and your journey with Cal. How has it been for you? I know obviously Love is Blind all happened last year and everyone was rooting for you especially in the South Asian community. We're so proud of you for going on this journey and putting yourself out there and because you believed in love. Yeah. So how how has that you know how has the journey been for you so far? So, well, since the show, it has been incredible. Like the response, the love, and that meant the most to me because I thought as a South Asian girl going on a reality show, let alone a dating show, I'm going to be here having to defend dating as a girl because it's not, it hasn't been seen before. Since then, of course, we've had Shakira on Love is Blind. Um, sorry, we've had Shakira on Love Island. We've had Dr. Nelly on Maths as well. And I really think it's a stance to show that Indian girls date. South Asian girls do date. We do. >> We do. And it's okay. It shouldn't be seen as shameful. >> And from the response from everybody, I was like, "Wow, I'm being supported for being my authentic self, for putting it out there that love actually has no boundaries." And I will say this with heart that it has no culture. It has no status because I fell in love with the personality. And since then, of course, the relationship ended. It was a real marriage. Um, >> and people don't think it's a real marriage, but you can hear it from Sora as well. It is a real marriage, right? >> The show is not scripted. It's a real marriage. And I filed for divorce, so that was well should be going through this year. But I've learned so much not only about love and what true love is. I've learned about myself, self-confidence. And since then, it's given me this sort of inner confidence and voice to want to talk out now, talk about taboo topics, which shouldn't be taboo. And this is one thing. Why is divorce taboo? Why is cross-culture dating taboo? Why is anything just because what we're we are who we are and we've had all this >> cultural generational cycles and followed the norm. No, because who writes a path for an individual who's going to be different? We're so different. Imagine if we were put on the same path, the pressure of that. >> Absolutely. >> So since then, I've got this passion now just to talk, >> keep everything open, no pressure, and just everybody live a happy life. That's all that life should be. And that's what led actually to one of my recent projects that's coming out um that me and mom will be doing a podcast together. >> Amazing. So what is the podcast going to be called? So the podcast is called Offscript and we're bringing two generations together where we talk so open, honest, and vulnerable. Well, we're very vulnerable the way we talk about everything. We talk about mom's arranged marriage when she was 16. We talk about dating. We talk about divorce. We talk about being the eldest daughters cuz both of us are the eldest in our families >> and talk about the pressure of life and just make it seen to others that a mother and daughter can talk about this and progress together because I got brought up quite traditionally. So even me and mom having these open conversations. It's brought up a lot. She's had to change with the times and I've had to now unlearn a lot as well. So it's very exciting. It's very emotional but how are we supposed to make change if it's just one generation trying? Absolutely. And I love the relationship with you and your mom even, you know, and the reunion show at the end and how much she supported you and she stuck up for you. And I think also for me being a South Asian, it was just so refreshing to see that your mom supported you on this journey. She also had an opportunity to defend you as well because I think what happened with Carol was just so sad. Yes. that you know you really made such a beautiful couple and then in the end you know which a lot of people may have not watched the reunion show. Please do spill to everybody what happened after uh Love is Blind cuz it all looked amazing and it looked like you guys were so happy. Yeah. Um it changed and some people may say well what did she expect? There were cameras every course this relationship was going to be beautiful and when the cameras go that's real life and that's the test of any relationship. real life, real everything. And it's a lesson for me that you need time to get to know someone. So, how does arranged marriages, how did how are they successful? You didn't have time. And it was similar to us. We did nothing different from a lot of the grandparents or the older older generations that used to just meet someone for the first time and say yes or no. >> And we felt that and I felt like it was the right thing to do. And I've never done anything bizarre in my life. I have three others. >> When you obviously saw him for the first time because obviously you're you're connecting on a soul level, a personality level and that's what attracted you guys to one another in the first place. >> When I saw him, it was him drop silence and I could hear my breathing and I just thought this was meant to be because we have connected on such an emotionally deep level. I see him and that's the last piece of the puzzle. not what we do in the real world where you see someone first and either you have that chemistry or not or you just walk away. We did it the opposite and that's why I do say love is blind as long as you have two genuine people going in together and you've proven that as well because it can be but it can work out and it has worked out for so many couples it has on love is blind but did you not see some of the red flags you know when there was an opportunity like when he was talking to you in the pool uh when you guys were on holiday and he was saying you're not usually my type or the type of girl that I would go for. Did you see the signs there or did you just think okay I may not be his usual type but now you know >> he's connected with me on a personality soul level so actually could give this a go that how did you feel at that point >> that's exactly it when I heard it of course my heart dropped for a split second so I thought oh I'm not his usual type how do we meet how do we work through this but then when he says and what happened was well I'm glad you're not my usual type because I wouldn't have felt this way I trusted it But what I've learned is is just question more. That's one of my biggest learnings for any relationship going forward now is ask the questions. Don't hold back. Explore it more because communication is what successful relationships is. >> It is key. And I think maybe >> because everything felt so gray and I was maybe being told a lot behind the cameras that I just from him I just thought it'll be fine. >> It'll be fine. It doesn't mean just cuz you've got a type of woman that you normally go for that it's not going to work. and maybe all his previous relationships haven't worked out for that reason. Right. So, and did you feel that you had a bit of a backlash as well because obviously he was from a half um you know western and Pakistani background. Did you get a backlash from would you say you know your culture or you know your kind of community or how was everyone reacting to that cuz that's what we were all on our edge about thinking and we shouldn't be right and do what it shouldn't matter. >> Correct. When I found out, yeah, I remember my whole entire life, dating, everything. I had a tick box. I followed that unspoken. Yeah. Make sure you marry someone who your external family will approve of. Make sure you marry someone financially, everything. I went through it all growing up. >> It got to the point where I thought, go into this and don't ask. And the moment he told me, cuz I thought his name's just Cal, I know it was Khaleem at the time. I found that out when I was actually doing the paperwork for the marriage. >> Oh jeez. >> Um, yeah. And when he said that, I was like, I don't care. That was the first things that came out of my mouth and it took me back. So I thought Otto for the first one you're alive like this was back outside you would have probably like oh it's really nice to get to know you and walked away because of how I'd been conditioned from many many years and not just from my own family I mean externally as well from community pressure >> because there's all that wider society pressure as well. >> When it first came out >> there was backlash from a lot of people who were like well how is this going to work? Haven't you thought about your family? And then they started to obviously backlash to the family. Oh, you know, let there must be a certain type to let their daughter go on to this. But I didn't care because I thought this is where the change needs to be had. >> Absolutely. >> And I had so many women reach out to me to say that I've been married for this many years. My family don't support it, cross-cultural marriages, and they're like, I've had to walk away from my family, but I'm happily married now. >> So, why are we stopping those >> to be happy just based on what their cultural background, what they've been born into? It does not make sense. I tried it 10 years of dating. I tried to follow the book. >> We will be there. We will be there >> and it got me nowhere. >> Going off book for the first time. I fell in love. >> Yeah. >> With the wrong person. And that's okay. But regardless, I fell in love with somebody who was completely completely different to me. >> Did you feel that when the cameras were not on, he was completely different personality? And did you think he was putting it on a little bit, but then you saw the real side of him after? >> Yeah. And when um when the cameras go away and it was just us, like that's when everything changed for me. But I've been brought up where you don't give up, you try. And I stayed and I and I was working on my inner feelings a lot. And I think there was this >> what I just gone through and now real life. How does there were there were times but you work through things. How many of us are in relationships where we are still there today because we feel that staying is the right thing to do. >> Yeah. >> But what I've learned is the courage is when you choose yourself. >> Absolutely. >> So absolutely. And then what did he say to you afterwards when he did want to end things? What would what did he say? >> Oh yeah, that was um I think it was just a bit of a copout just to just be like, you know, we had a good time. This isn't for us and move on. And that's not life. Marriage is a lifetime commitment and you need to take it seriously. And it wasn't taken seriously. The ending wasn't taken seriously. But my closure was I deserve better. Yeah. >> And I had to learn that. It it took me several times >> know your worth and love yourself enough to know that you value yourself and do you know what it's his loss >> and you look at you you're amazing you've got so much going for yourself and we've followed you all the way on your journey and we support you and so many young girls out there resonated because you know what dating whether you're on dating sites or whether you're you know going on a TV show like this it takes courage >> it does and it's not easy and you were brave for doing that and everyone supported you and everyone was written for you >> and now look there's so much upwards and onwards so much happening for you. So you've just obviously joined all BBC Asia network as a presenter as well so that's exciting. >> I've got the motivation segment which has been an absolute honor and that's where I thrive. I get to talk about topics where >> makes you happy. >> Exactly. Exactly. And put some of that energy out there to be like choose yourself, believe in yourself because >> you only get one life. You do >> one life and that's >> So where can everyone hear you on BBC Asia Network? What days are you on in the evening? >> So, I'm on Monday evenings at 10 p.m., but you can listen on BBC Sounds at any time. >> Brilliant, guys. So, make sure you can on BBC a network. So, now you're stepping into a new chapter, >> correct? >> Both personally and professionally. How does the moment in life feel for you right now? >> Cuz you just seem like you've got just such a beautiful aura vibe about you right now. >> The at the moment, I'm so happy. I've never been happier. I might not be where I thought in my timeline I would be at 30. You know, you think you'd be settled down. You'd had kids. I couldn't be far from that, but I've never felt so authentically myself and so confident. And I call this chapter SOBA 2.0 because I feel like now I'm living. >> Excellent. And you know, things like this, they're part of your journey and you evolve from it, you learn from it, and you grow from it. And I think that's an amazing journey >> cuz we all go through challenges. meanders, >> but it's rise and it takes and it's exciting. This podcast is coming out as well. When is that going to be launching? >> We are aiming for February. >> Amazing. >> So, not long to go and yeah, me and mom, we be nervous because it's our first project together. So, hopefully everyone loves it. And who knows, you might want to be a guest on it one day. >> And she's championed you so much and been your biggest supporter as well. actually is just such a such an inspiration. So also many people shy away from difficult topics. So what has creating space for you this you know these uncomfortable conversations you know how does what has it taught you about courage? >> Um so it's taught me that there's nothing you can ever not talk about. It's taught me that courage honestly it just takes that little bit of you inside to just be like I can do this and that's all it is. And >> the thing is though, me talking about all these subjects, being vulnerable, it's because it's real. It's real life. >> Life isn't perfect all the time. And I know you see on social media there's a lot of pressure that we all see these pretty pictures, but there's a real person behind that. >> And that's what I'm going to show because I live with a lot of pressure. I try to be the perfect granddaughter, the perfect daughter, the perfect everything. And it I crumbled with anxiety from it all. Now I have no pressure. I live with happiness and everything just feels lighter. It's freeing. It really is freeing. >> You're content. >> Yeah. Great. That's the most important part. >> So, how do you decide which stories are worth telling and which ones just to keep to yourself in life? >> Do you what it is? I used to only put out the good stuff. >> Now, there's nothing that's off the cards. I'm very open because >> why not be open? Someone might hear something I say and be like, "Oh, I feel like that." Or, "Oh, it's not just me." And that's all it takes. If I'm an example, I'd rather be a good example >> and people can resonate with you. And I love that you talk about your good your good days, your bad days, your highs, and your lows on your social media and you're so authentic and genuine. And I think that's what everyone loves about you. >> I do appreciate because it's not it's a bit scary and it's not easy at times. You think, oh, you know, >> you're showing your vulnerability, >> but that's life and I think we need more of that in the world. >> 100%. And as a South Asian woman navigating visibility, how do you b balance cultural sensitivity with honesty? >> Do what it is. There's always respect. No matter what I'll do in life, I always have that underlying respect for culture, upbringing, everything. All that I'm going to do is when I speak about it is we need to progress. We know where we've come from. We respect where we come from. We wouldn't be who we are today without it. But let's take the areas where we want to put ourselves first and just grow because that's what it is. We're now in this new generation. We live in this country. We're being brought up by parents who have new thoughts themselves. So, we just move together with the times, but we don't ever forget. >> Yeah, that's so beautifully said. And confidence is often misunderstood as certainty. What does confidence actually feel like for you? Now, >> confidence feels like for me. >> Yeah, >> confidence just feels like it feels like freedom. >> That's what it is. Confidence is freedom. I'm I don't get nervous now because I'm not putting on a show. I'm just being me. Yeah. I always get more nervous going to family weddings. >> And that's when you go for the show. You gonna get so nervous if they're gonna ask you if you're single or not. When where's your wedding? >> The pressure. >> Literally. How's your day? Yeah. Great. Everything's great. How's it sounding? Great. Now I'm just being myself. >> I'm just me. I think everyone knows your story now anyway, so it's fine. And And then do you feel like you've had a lot of people now questioning, well, now you're divorcy. And now, you know, do you feel like everyone's like, oh, you know, how you going to meet somebody else? Do you feel you've had that now coming out of it? I feel like there's this underlying unspoken way it's come out but at the end of the day life's already written for us. So when it's meant to be whoever it's meant to be with it's fine but the process until then >> is where I live without pressure and I enjoy it now. There's no sort of >> oh god there's this underlying you know need to there's no it takes away from the joy of life when it happens it will happen. >> So 2026 new year new you uh what else is coming up for you and what are you looking forward to the most? what's coming up for me? Who knows what's coming up for me? And that is the beauty of it. I have no idea after Evian Network, after me and mom's podcast, what else could be there? But I'll embrace it and really hope that my boys can continue. >> What is the one thing you'd love to achieve? Um, a dream project or anything. Or would you love to do? >> I would love to be able to do a solo trip aboard. >> I would love to be able to do that. Something where you see the highs and lows of traveling because I think that's where the biggest confidence is. a lot of people just to do something so far away and have that documented and show it can be done. >> This was the girl who could not go to Tesco's on her own growing up. I would actually sit in the car like mom don't make me go out and get that poly of milk. I'll literally cry. Don't now. >> So look how far you've come from that. And that in itself is a huge achievement and everyone's been talking about her incredible figure since obviously how many times a week do you go to gym? Everyone wants to know about your actual fitness regime. So um I do go about five times a week. Um but do what it is. For me fitness I always will say is a therapy for me. Whether it's a treadmill, incline walk, whether it's a hit workout, whether it's perform movement is so powerful and that's that's where I find everything. I find a lot of yeah a lot of peace from it. But I do enjoy my foods. She'll eat anything and everything, guys. So that's why she works out five times a week and that's why she looks this incredible. And what would your advice be to all the younger generation out there, all the women who are finding it hard to find love? Cuz it is really hard. It >> is hard. >> You know, I'm speaking from experience myself and it's it's easy to go on all these dating sites and you know, if you don't pull yourself out there, but some some women I feel have just really given up hope that love doesn't exist. >> No, love exists. It's just sometimes love exists in places you don't expect it. And that's what I've learned. You can get love through friendship on in your every single day. If you run into someone and they show you a bit of kindness, there's love in that. It does not have to be a romantic relationship. Just surround yourself with the right people. When you have the right circle around you, you will feel love. >> And that's everything. And like with Valentine's coming up, I'm doing a Gallentine's event. >> Oh, I love that. >> I'm celebrating the girls in my life because we all deserve to feel love. And whether it's going to be romantically or through friendships, it does not matter. >> But don't put so much pressure on it because there is somebody out there for everyone. It's just a matter of time. >> We see people fall in love in their 60s. >> Absolutely. >> And it's beautiful. And it's like, so why are we >> Yeah. >> Why do we lose ourselves in that process? >> Yeah. >> Everybody is deserving of love. That's one thing. It's just >> when it's meant to be and >> Yeah. >> Just don't put pressure on yourselves. And I'm in the same boat when it's going to happen. I'm in the same boat. You know, exactly. And I think that's what it is. But don't give up. >> Don't give up. That's for sure. >> And don't give up on yourself at all. That's the worst thing one of us, any of us can do. When we give up on ourselves, that's when we've lost all hope. And yeah. >> Oh, it's been lovely, honestly, doing this with you finally. You looked absolutely stunning. And guys, to see Survivor's full interview, make sure you follow Luxurious www.luxurismag.com and you'll get to see the full stunning shoot with Serva and her mom. So, make sure you tune in to her podcast and her amazing motivational um VBC Asia network where she'll be presenting and yeah, follow her journey because there's so much more to come. See you later.