Hamal and Bhattarai first met in 2004 on the sets of the Lux Beauty Star pageant where the former was chief guest and the latter a participant. While Hamal is said to have been impressed by Bhattarai’s talent, Bhattarai herself is said to have been so nervous to see her favourite actor in person that she couldn’t even answer his questions properly.

It is during this time that Hamal and Bhattarai exchanged contact numbers and addresses, and the relationship is said to have begun six months after the two began corresponding via email. Bhattarai is said to have been the first to express a romantic interest in Hamal.

The couple managed to keep their relationship a secret for the next five years, and the entertainment media as well as fans were kept wondering about Hamal’s love life. It was only two years ago that Hamal admitted to being in a relationship with Bhattarai—a native of Biratnagar who later settled in Dharan and is now said to be living in Hamal’s flat in Lazimpat, Kathmandu.