Farhan Akhtar and Shibani Dandekar on navigating public scrutiny after interfaith marriage: “People used to say these two things to me– ‘love jihad and gold digger’”

The couple celebrated their union on February 19, 2022, in a close-knit ceremony at Farhan’s farmhouse in Khandala, surrounded by family and friends.

By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

September 21, 2024 - 3:53 PM IST

Farhan Akhtar and Shibani Dandekar’s journey together is one marked by both professional collaboration and personal challenges. Having met through work, the couple faced their share of scepticism and criticism before ultimately tying the knot in 2022. As public figures, they have navigated the tricky waters of public scrutiny and online trolling, especially during the early days of their romance.

Farhan Akhtar and Shibani Dandekar on navigating public scrutiny after interfaith marriage: “People used to say these two things to me– ‘love jihad and gold digger’”

In a recent conversation on Rhea Chakraborty’s podcast, Chapter 2, Shibani opened up about the difficulties she encountered, particularly the unkind labels that surfaced once she began dating Farhan. She reflected on how she was often labelled a "gold digger" and faced questions like, “Who was she before her marriage with Farhan Akhtar?”

Shibani articulated her perspective on handling negativity in the digital space, saying, “I think social media comments should only strike a chord with you if there is any kind of truth to it that you believe, and that impacts you somehow. If there is no basis for that comment, or whatever that people are saying, how can something that is so untrue affect you?”

Recalling her experiences, she shared, “On a daily basis, when I started my relationship with Farhan, people used to say these two things to me– ‘love jihad and gold digger’. What am I supposed to do with that? I am not going to cry myself to bed because people are saying these things.” Shibani emphasized the reality of her marriage, stating, “He does come from a Muslim home, and I do come from a Hindu home, and we got married, and we are very happy with our marriage. That’s the reality of our situation. So, people can say whatever they want about us; it is what it is.”

Addressing the dismissive comments about her past, she remarked, “I get comments like, ‘Who is she?’, ‘Who was she before marrying Farhan Akhtar?’ Am I going to believe some random person or am I going to believe my own journey? There is also a difference between what is true and what someone is saying to get at you.”

Shibani further elaborated on the nature of online criticism, noting, “I can get on my phone right now and I can make 15 nasty comments on random pages for random people for no reason other than I want to. It’s not up to us to figure out why these people are doing what they are doing because we will never get that.”

The couple celebrated their union on February 19, 2022, in a close-knit ceremony at Farhan’s farmhouse in Khandala, surrounded by family and friends. A reception followed at his residence in Bandra, marking the beginning of their new life together.

For Shibani Dandekar and Farhan Akhtar, proactive steps were taken to nurture their relationship even before they exchanged vows. Shibani recently opened up about their experience with therapy during their courtship, shedding light on its significance in their lives.

Reflecting on their decision, she mentioned, "We started doing couples therapy I think about six months before or after we got engaged. It wasn’t one person convincing the other. It was like this is something that sounds like a smart thing to do."

Therapy provided the couple with tools to enhance communication and understanding, which, according to Shibani, led to fewer disputes. She emphasized the positive impact it had on their dynamic, highlighting how it allowed them to navigate the complexities of their relationship more effectively.

Interestingly, their commitment to therapy did not end after their wedding. Shibani recounted an amusing yet telling incident that occurred shortly after they tied the knot. “We got married on a Monday. Our signing was on a Monday and our next scheduled appointment was on a Wednesday. I remember we walked in and our therapist was like ‘Why are you guys here? You just got married like 24 hours ago?’" This moment underscores the couple’s understanding of the need for ongoing support, even in the joyful aftermath of their union.

On the work front, Farhan Akhtar will next star in 120 Bahadur. He will also direct Don 3 and Jee Le Zaraa.