"I don't know if I'd love him if he didn't."
Priyanka Chopra Jonas revealed that Nick Jonas embracing her Indian roots is essential to their marriage.
At the New York premiere of The Cycle of Love, Priyanka was asked about Nick’s connection to her culture and traditions.
Priyanka admitted: “I don’t know if I’d love him if he didn’t.”
On what has helped keep their relationship strong nearly eight years after their wedding, Priyanka said:
“Being kind to your partner.”
The comments came as Priyanka attended the premiere of The Cycle of Love, which she executive-produced.
The real-life story centres on Indian artist P.K. Mahanandia, who travelled roughly 6,000 miles by bicycle in 1977 to reunite with Lotta von Schedvin, the Swedish woman he loved.
Priyanka’s comments about Nick’s relationship with Indian culture reflect a wider theme explored by the film.
She said couples from different backgrounds should respect each other’s traditions rather than expecting either person to abandon an important part of their identity.
Nick Jonas has embraced several aspects of Priyanka’s Indian heritage throughout their relationship.
He has celebrated Hindu festivals, participated in family traditions and travelled with his wife to India.
Priyanka and Nick married in December 2018, with Christian and Hindu ceremonies honouring their traditions.
Priyanka has also highlighted Nick’s sincerity as an important quality in their relationship.
In a February 2026 interview with Variety, she said the speed at which their relationship developed initially made his emotional openness seem almost too genuine.
Over time, she came to see that sincerity as a defining part of his personality.
The story behind The Cycle of Love follows a similarly unconventional journey towards a cross-cultural marriage. Mahanandia met Lotta in Delhi in the 1970s after she asked him to draw her portrait.
When Lotta returned to Sweden, the pair remained in contact.
In 1977, the 23-year-old artist set out from India on a second-hand bicycle and travelled roughly 6,000 miles across countries and continents to reach her.
The couple eventually reunited in Europe, married and went on to spend approximately five decades together.
Their children, Emelie Mahanandia von Schedvin and Karl Mahanandia von Schedvin, became producers on the documentary.
Priyanka said their involvement in preserving their parents’ story made the project particularly moving.
Describing the story as a “ray of sunshine”, Priyanka added:
“Everything about it is so heartwarming.”
She also highlighted resilience and standing by the person you love as lessons from Mahanandia and Lotta’s relationship.
The Cycle of Love opens in US cinemas on August 28.
