Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha and her long-term boyfriend, Zaheer Iqbal, tied the knot on June 23, 2024, in a civil marriage ceremony held at Sonakshi's home in Bandra, Mumbai. The couple, who dated for seven years before deciding to get married, chose to register their marriage under the provisions of the Special Marriage Act.
Interfaith Union and Public Reaction
The marriage, being an interfaith one, garnered significant attention and sparked various discussions. Sonakshi, who comes from a Hindu background, and Zaheer, who is Muslim, have faced a barrage of online trolling and negative comments. The couple had to disable the comments option on their official wedding and reception photos due to the overwhelming hate and negative feedback.
Addressing the Trolls
Sonakshi Sinha recently reacted to the trolls through an Instagram post, where she re-shared an artistic drawing done by a fan. The drawing featured the couple in their wedding outfits, with the caption "Love is the universal religion." Sonakshi expressed her gratitude towards the artist, commenting, "Truest words!! This is adorable Thank you".
In an interview, Sonakshi and Zaheer emphasized that their different religious backgrounds have never been an issue in their relationship. Sonakshi stated, "We both respect other religions. It’s never been an issue for us or even a discussion." Zaheer echoed her sentiments, saying that despite potential disagreements, none would ever be about religion.
Family Support and Private Ceremony
Despite rumors suggesting otherwise, Sonakshi's family, including her father Shatrughan Sinha, were supportive of the marriage. Sonakshi admitted she was nervous when informing her father about her marriage plans but found him to be "chilled out" and supportive. However, her brothers Luv Sinha and Kussh Sinha were notably absent from both the wedding and the reception.
The wedding ceremony was a private affair, attended by close friends and family, followed by a grand reception that saw many celebrities from the film industry, including Salman Khan, Kajol, Vidya Balan, and Anil Kapoor, among others.
Public and Media Response
The couple's decision to marry under the Special Marriage Act, without undergoing religious conversions, has been highlighted as a significant aspect of their union. This choice has been seen as a public affirmation that conversions are not mandatory in interfaith marriages.
The wedding faced a backlash from trolls, with some comments being particularly vile and including references to controversial cases involving interfaith relationships. The couple received death threats, prompting them to turn off comments on their wedding-related posts.
Reflections on Their Relationship
Sonakshi and Zaheer have consistently maintained that their relationship is built on shared core values and mutual respect. Sonakshi reflected on their relationship, saying, "Our parents have taught us to be good human beings and believe in God, irrespective of whatever name you know him by".
The couple has also shared that they have learned to tune out the external controversy surrounding their interfaith marriage, as it holds no significance for them. Zaheer reiterated, "We may have 50,000 disagreements but it will never be over religion".
Moving Forward
As Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal enjoy their new life together, they continue to share moments from their wedding and express their joy and love for each other. Despite the challenges and negative reactions, the couple remains steadfast in their commitment to each other, proving that love can indeed transcend religious boundaries.
