‘Love alone isn’t enough’: Tony and Priya Dias celebrate 25 years of marriage

For audiences who grew up watching Bangladeshi television in the 1990s, Tony Dias remains a familiar and much-loved face. At the height of his career, he starred in numerous television dramas, earning widespread popularity, and appeared in several films. His artistic journey, however, began with recitation rather than acting.

For many years now, Tony has been living in the United States with his wife, renowned dancer Priya Dias, and their only daughter, Ahona. Although they now call New York home, the couple have never drifted away from their roots. Instead, they continue to celebrate their passion for culture, frequently performing together at various events across the US.

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This year marks a special milestone for Tony and Priya as they celebrate 25 years of marriage. To commemorate the occasion, they recently hosted a gathering in New York attended by close friends and fellow artistes, including Tauquir Ahmed, Bipasha Hayat and several other prominent figures from Bangladesh's entertainment industry.

Speaking to The Daily Star, Tony reflected on his life, marriage and the journey that has brought them this far.
Asked how life has been in America, Tony smiled, saying, "We're doing very well. Priya, Ahona and I are living a happy life together. We feel blessed and grateful to the Almighty. We had a wonderful life in Bangladesh, and we've also been fortunate to receive immense love from people here."

When asked what has kept their marriage strong for a quarter of a century, Tony answered without hesitation. "It's love," he said. "But love alone isn't enough. There's also deep respect for one another. We travel a lot—not only across America but to many parts of the world. We make time for each other, share everything and celebrate life together because you only get one life."
He believes that keeping life simple has also played a significant role. "We've always wanted to live a simple life. We've never chased extravagance or wanted too much. Whatever God has given us has been enough. We've received so much love from people throughout our lives, and that is something we're truly grateful for.”

Reflecting on what he considers his greatest achievement, Tony said that the affection of people is among life's biggest blessings. "We both love travelling. We love to laugh and create memories together. I especially enjoy driving, so we often take long road trips. Those journeys have given us countless beautiful memories."

Although the couple's wedding anniversary is on February 14, they chose to celebrate the milestone a little later.
"We got married 25 years ago on Valentine's Day," Tony said. "Recently, we organised a celebration in New York with many of our close friends. It was a wonderful evening filled with stories, laughter and memories. We wanted to make the occasion truly memorable."

One of the defining features of their relationship has been Tony's unwavering encouragement of Priya's artistic career. "Many women give up their artistic pursuits after marriage," he said. "I never wanted Priya to stop dancing. I'm happy that she has continued. We've performed together on many stages in America. I still recite poetry; we create videos together and preserve these moments. Our relationship is built not only on understanding but also on mutual respect. I deeply respect her passion for dance."

Despite living abroad for years, Tony says the affection he receives from audiences has never diminished. "Everywhere I go in America, people recognise me. Many ask for photographs or stop to chat. That kind of love and respect is incredibly humbling."

Looking back on 25 years of married life, Tony is filled with gratitude. "It's hard to believe we've already spent 25 years together," he said. "I hope we can continue spending the rest of our lives just as happily."
Life in America is undoubtedly busy, he admits, though in a different way from his years in Bangladesh's entertainment industry.
 

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