Entertainment / Fri, 10 Jul 2026 News18

This Indian Artist's 6,000-Mile Journey For Love Is Now A Priyanka Chopra-Backed Documentary

Mahanandia and Swedish woman Lotta (Charlotte) von Schedvin is one of them. Their remarkable journey, from a chance meeting in Delhi to a 6,000-mile bicycle ride across continents, has now inspired The Cycle of Love, a documentary executive-produced by Priyanka Chopra Jonas. One day, a Swedish tourist named Lotta von Schedvin sought him out after hearing about his talent. (Image: Instagram/@pkmahanandia)4 / 7 Before Lotta left India, the couple married in a simple ceremony following Indian traditions. (Image: Instagram/@pkmahanandia)6 / 7 Mahanandia eventually reunited with Lotta in Sweden, and the couple built a life together.

Last Updated: July 10, 2026, 10:44 IST

1 / 7 Some love stories seem too extraordinary to be true. But the real-life romance of Indian artist P.K. Mahanandia and Swedish woman Lotta (Charlotte) von Schedvin is one of them. Their remarkable journey, from a chance meeting in Delhi to a 6,000-mile bicycle ride across continents, has now inspired The Cycle of Love, a documentary executive-produced by Priyanka Chopra Jonas. (Image: Instagram/@pkmahanandia)

2 / 7 The story dates back to 1975, when P.K. Mahanandia was a young artist sketching portraits on the streets of Delhi. One day, a Swedish tourist named Lotta von Schedvin sought him out after hearing about his talent. What started as an artist drawing a portrait soon turned into long conversations and a deep connection. Despite coming from different countries and cultures, the two quickly fell in love. (Image: Instagram/@pkmahanandia)

3 / 7 As a child growing up in Odisha, Mahanandia had heard a prophecy that his future wife would come from a distant land and be born under the sign of Taurus. When he met Lotta, he believed she was the woman the prophecy had foretold. That belief only strengthened his determination to be with her. (Image: Instagram/@pkmahanandia)

4 / 7 Before Lotta left India, the couple married in a simple ceremony following Indian traditions. But their love story faced an immediate challenge when she had to return home to Sweden. With little money and no easy way to travel overseas, Mahanandia promised he would find a way to join her. (Image: Instagram/@pkmahanandia)

5 / 7 Unable to afford an airline ticket, Mahanandia set off on an old bicycle in 1977, carrying little more than a few clothes, paintbrushes and unwavering hope. Over the next several months, he pedalled through countries including Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Yugoslavia, Austria and Germany before finally reaching Sweden. Along the way, he relied on the kindness of strangers, sold sketches to earn money and refused to give up on the journey. (Image: Instagram/@pkmahanandia)

6 / 7 Mahanandia eventually reunited with Lotta in Sweden, and the couple built a life together. More than five decades later, they are still happily married, proving that their incredible journey was only the beginning of a lifelong partnership. (Image: Instagram/@pkmahanandia)