Emraan Hashmi Opens Up About Marriage to Parveen Shahani: 'We Saw Each Other's True Selves'
Emraan Hashmi Reveals Why He Married Parveen Shahani

Emraan Hashmi Gets Candid About His Decision to Marry Wife Parveen Shahani

Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi, known for his roles in films like Haq, recently opened up about his personal life and the journey that led him to marry his longtime girlfriend, Parveen Shahani. In a heartfelt conversation on Ranveer Allahbadia's podcast, Hashmi shared intimate details about their relationship, offering a glimpse into the couple's bond that has lasted since their marriage in 2006.

The Foundation of Friendship and Realization

Hashmi emphasized the importance of friendship in their relationship, revealing that they were friends for nearly a decade before tying the knot. "I think the friendship went on for many years, almost 10 years. That's when you know this is my kind of person. I want to settle with them," he shared. This long period of companionship allowed them to build a strong foundation, moving beyond superficial attractions to a deeper connection.

Moving Beyond the Honeymoon Phase

The actor delved into a common challenge in relationships: the honeymoon phase. He explained that during this initial period, partners often present an idealized version of themselves. "What happens is that in relationships, there is a honeymoon phase, where you are putting your best foot forward. You are not seeing the actual person, but the version of them they project in the relationship," Hashmi noted.

He highlighted that their relationship matured when they moved past this phase. "When you cross that and see the person for who they are, I think we reached that point. She saw my idiosyncrasies and whatever issues I had, and vice versa. My positives and her positives. And we felt that this is the right time," he added, underscoring the mutual acceptance and understanding that solidified their decision to marry.

Expert Insights on Personal Readiness in Relationships

Gurleen Baruah, an occupational psychologist and executive coach at That Culture Thing, provided expert commentary on the topic of marriage and life milestones. She stressed that there is no universal timeline for such decisions. "As adults, we possess the autonomy to make choices that align with our values, feelings, and circumstances. While society may impose norms and suggest 'ideal' ages for achieving certain milestones, like settling down or starting a family, it's important to remember that these are human-made constructs," Baruah told indianexpress.com.

From a psychological perspective, Baruah noted that delaying milestones can be beneficial. "Delaying milestones can foster a deeper sense of self-awareness and emotional maturity. As people age, they often become more secure in their values, desires, and long-term goals," she explained. This growth enables individuals to make decisions that are authentic to themselves, rather than succumbing to external pressures.

Navigating Family and Societal Expectations

Baruah also addressed the common issue of family pressure in making life decisions. She advised open communication as a key strategy. "Start by having an open and honest conversation with your family. Let them know that you deeply value their opinions and love them, but that choosing your own path doesn't mean you're disregarding their guidance or being disrespectful," she said.

She acknowledged that balancing cultural expectations with personal timelines can be challenging, but emphasized the importance of respectful dialogue. "Navigating cultural expectations while honouring your own timeline for life's milestones can feel challenging, but the key is to strike the right balance through respectful communication and mature dialogue," Baruah added, reinforcing the message of personal empowerment in relationship choices.

Emraan Hashmi's candid revelations offer a relatable perspective on love and marriage, blending personal anecdotes with expert insights to highlight the value of patience, friendship, and self-awareness in building lasting relationships.