The interfaith wedding of Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha and actor Zaheer Iqbal in 2024 became a major talking point across India, sparking intense debate and speculation on social media and beyond. Rumours swirled that Sonakshi's parents, veteran actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha and Poonam Sinha, were unhappy with her decision to marry her 'Double XL' co-star. Further gossip suggested her brothers, Luv and Kush Sinha, had skipped the celebrations in protest.
Family Presence Dispels Rumours
Despite the widespread chatter, the reality was quite different. Sonakshi's parents were not only present but actively involved in all the wedding festivities, standing by their daughter. Now, a year and a half after the intimate ceremony, Poonam Sinha has decided to set the record straight during a candid conversation filmed when director-choreographer Farah Khan visited the couple at their home.
The revealing chat began when a curious Farah Khan asked Poonam, "Did you know before the engagement they dated for five years?" Poonam responded with an honest, "No, that I don't know." This prompted a quick reaction from Sonakshi, who pointed at her mother and said, "Mummy, please don't lie. You were the first person I told this to. You didn't tell papa about it."
A Mother's Instinct and Secret Mediation
Poonam Sinha then clarified her earlier statement, explaining the timeline of her knowledge. "I only got to know about it two years ago, and those two years I used to pacify her dad (Shatrughan Sinha) and make him accept them," she revealed, highlighting her role as a mediator between her daughter and her initially hesitant husband. Zaheer Iqbal chimed in to add, "But the other five years, she did have a feeling about this."
Poonam nodded in agreement, explaining her maternal instincts. "Yes, I did know something was fishy when I saw her doing household chores to butter us," she said with a smile. "Nothing remains hidden from mothers. They know everything." The conversation then expanded to include Zaheer's mother, Mumtaz Ratansi, when Farah inquired about when the two mothers first met.
The Unofficial Parental Introduction
Sonakshi revealed that the meeting happened much earlier than many assumed. "They met long before our wedding. We had actually arranged a party at Huma Qureshi's house where we had invited all of our parents. It was their first unofficial introduction kind of meeting," the actress shared. However, she added a crucial detail: "But they didn't know we were dating."
Poonam Sinha added her own humorous observation from that party. "I had a doubt, because I saw Sonakshi sitting by Mumtaz's feet." Farah Khan couldn't resist teasing, quipping, "I know, these kids never sit at their own mother's feet."
From Hate to Love: The Public's Changing Perception
In a recent interview with ETimes, Sonakshi Sinha opened up about the initial backlash she faced for her interfaith wedding and how public perception has beautifully transformed. The actress shared her steadfast philosophy: "I've always believed that love always wins, no matter what."
She elaborated on the journey, stating, "No matter how much hate people can throw at you, but if there's… where there's love, there is love, and it will always win, I've always believed that." Sonakshi downplayed the notion of being a trailblazer, saying, "It's not like we tried doing something... people were like, oh, you're so brave that you followed your heart and got married to him. No, I just got married to the man I love."
She poignantly added, "I'm not the first woman to do it, and I won't be the last, certainly." The actress described a significant shift in public opinion immediately after the wedding. "The switch happened immediately after we got married. I think people could just see so much love, so much authenticity... that all the noise just kind of faded away on its own." This heartfelt revelation underscores the couple's genuine bond, which ultimately quieted the critics and won over the public.
