Koena’s firang boyfriend

Ever since she was spotted at an awards function with a handsome Turk last year, actress Koena Mitra was bombarded with queries about the mystery dude. After a year of dodging questions on her relationship status, the actress has finally confessed that she is indeed in love. And the subject of her affections is Mete Meral, a senior pilot by profession.

“It’s been a little over a year [since the relationship started] now and things have been quite nice. He loves to shower me with surprises. He’s spontaneous and I like that about him,” says Koena.

The two met at a nightclub in Mumbai last year. The actress says she makes sure that Mete, who hails from Turkey, follows Bollywood films, especially hers. “He has seen all my films. He was okay with the person I was on screen because he understands that whatever I do in my films is strictly professional.”

She admits that Mete gets perturbed by the fan attention she gets. “This is a completely new world for him. When people come and talk to me or click pictures, he frowns, but I am sure he will understand with time.”

While the two have not met each other’s families, Koena says she is looking forward to going to Turkey, a wish that Mete made sure comes true.

“My birthday was on January 7 and he gave me seven unique gifts. One of them was a holiday to his native place,” she gushes.