In the hurly-burly Indian cricket and Bollywood industry, where spotlights and sixes clash, there are no relationships that seem as true and sincere as the one between the graceful Smriti Mandhana, the beautiful opener who only recently helped India to win its first Women ODI World Cup, and the Janam Sam in the soulful singer who has soothed the hearts of people nation wide with her voice. Their sisterly relationship has been the highlight as Smriti goes to take a stroll down the aisle with Palak younger brother, composer Palash Muchhal, on November 23, 2025 in her home city of Sangli, Maharashtra. Since they were silent company on exhausting tours, to merry-making dances in haldi parties, here is how two stars of different worlds became family members, and why their story is the feel-good one India wants this month.
The whole situation began in 2019 when everything changed in the lives of Smriti and Palash. The 23-year-old Smriti, who had already become a star in the world of women in cricket, was just back to Mumbai, and a success story with the Sydney Thunder in the Women Big Bash league. This passed off as a blur of nets sessions, team meetings and the occasional escape to a comfort cafe to have some well deserved rest. Palash was 24 years old and had just written songs in the Bollywood movies such as Dishkiyaoon and Bhoothnath Returns, making his way in the music industry with his high-pressure life. It was in his home town of Indore, Madhya Pradesh that he was born and grew up, which was the silent contributor of romantic songs and he used to sing with his sister Palak on charity concerts to raise money to save lives of poor children through heart surgery.
Their meeting was neither a romanticized encounter nor a planned meet-cute situation, but a collision of two parallel lives by virtue of knowing the same group of people in the bustling social life of Mumbai. It was said to have been a simple affair, maybe a low-profile dinner or a music listening event, and mutual interests in the creative and silent ambition led to an immediate bond. Smriti, a fanatic of Bollywood themes and music and with her secret ability to hum tunes along with Arijit Singh, was lured into the world of melodies that Palash belonged to. He, his turn was charmed with her beauty on the field and her meek modesty off it. What started as an easy talk about mutual friends, favorite playlists, and the hustle of the city life soon turned out to be more than that. At the end of 2019, they were dating and maintaining their relationship so beautifully private, without paparazzi and social media hype.
In comes Palak Muchhal, the paste that made this future romance turn into a life long sisterhood. Palak had become a household name at the age of 30 in 2019, with her voice adding emotions to such hits like Jab Se Tere Naina and her charity work through the Palak Muchhal Music Foundation influencing thousands of lives. Being the elder sister of Palash, who was the closest one and the best friend, she was the first to hear about Smriti. Even at the outset, Palak was the matchmaker and the cheeleader, making Smriti family dinners in Indore and telling her about their playful childhood. She is a sister, a best friend, and Palak is practically jumping out of her seat in an interview recently, when she talked about the contagious laugh and indomitable encouragement of Smriti when Palak was faced with her own difficult recording period. Smriti, who would never hide her love of Palak music, admessed that Kaun Tujhe is a song that she needs to play before big games just to get in the mood; a song that Palak has even sung in front of the family in one of their first family events.
Smriti and Palak got closer and closer together over the next five years in a way that would seem like an absolute heart-warming indie movie. Smriti would receive special voice notes with uplifting tunes when she went through bad times, such as her tough 2022 T20 World Cup, when Palak would voice-note her encouraging melodies, mixing cheers with cheers and soft lullabies. Smriti, in turn, was the largest fan of Palak at concerts, coming to see her on the tour to stand on the stage. In 2024, when Palash proposed taking Smriti on a date in a romantic affair where he serenades her with a custom song in front of Palak, their marriage plans were sealed. Still, the recent Women world cup victory on November 2, 2025, at DY Patil Stadium was what united their worlds in a burst of happiness. When Smriti danced with her teammates such as Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma to the song Samjho Ho Hi Gaya, Palak came to the party, and she sprinkled the confetti and embrace, making the victory lap look to be a family reunion.
Now, when the wedding bells are ringing, Palak is not only a future sister-in-law of the bride, but also it is her heartbeat of this union. Along with arranging the sangeet playlist (which, of course, includes a lot of romantic duets) to calming down Smriti with a spare karaoke, Palak has a part to play in all of it. And their story makes us remember that it is not all about fame and fortune but about showing up, having a song in your heart or a straight shot down the road. Just as India rejoices over the sixes of Smriti and the soaring notes of Palak, this threesome is in love and that family is not in blood rather it is in the music that you make together.
For advertisement on our platform, do call at +91 6377460764 or email us at contact@thephilox.com.
Author
About the Author
