Actor Shahid Kapoor, who has been happily married to Mira Rajput for almost a decade, is a strong advocate of an arranged marriage, a term seldom heard of, when it comes to actors. The duo, who are proud parents to two kids, navigate the often difficult journey of marriage with refreshing candor and ease…
Recently, while appearing on the latest edition of SCREEN Live, the actor spoke about how he chose the unconventional path to get married, and how well it worked out for him.
He said, “Vivah was my practice session. The same happened with me in real life, I never thought this would happen. When I was shooting for this film, I used to say to my friends, ‘How can anyone have an arranged marriage? It’s so strange.’ So, I used to find the scenes also very funny – vo chai lekar aarahi hai and then bolti hai jal. I was like, Sooraj ji, ‘What’s jal, man? He said, ‘You just do it, you don’t know how people function in the interiors in India. We just followed him. I had no idea what was happening or about the world of this film, I was very much a big city kid.
Only after it did what it did, I realised that this actually happens. I also realised it around ten years later as well.”
He further added, “I endorse arranged marriages a lot. I think it worked really well for me and Mira. I never thought at a young age that I would ever do an arranged marriage.”
Earlier, speaking during a conversation with Raj Shamani, Shahid emphasized that the notion of a “perfect marriage” is misleading and often sets unrealistic expectations. Instead, he believes in striving for a “good” or “healthy” marriage, built on mutual respect, communication, and acceptance.
Shahid described marriage as a journey where both partners retain their individuality while choosing to move forward together. He acknowledged that he and Mira are on “separate tracks” but work collaboratively to navigate life’s challenges. This understanding, he noted, has been key to their nearly decade-long marriage.
Delving into their decision-making factor, Shahid revealed that they both have their areas of expertise. For instance, Mira often takes the lead on matters related to their children, as she has spent more time with them during the early years of their marriage. Shahid admitted that his career demands during that period often meant Mira had a deeper understanding of their children’s needs. Even now, when decisions concerning their kids arise, the couple communicates and shares opinions, but Mira’s insight often guides the final call.
On the flip side, Shahid humorously remarked that decisions like buying a car—yes, even for Mira—are usually left to him, highlighting how they balance responsibilities based on their strengths.
Shahid also highlighted the importance of giving each other space and privacy, while remaining supportive during vulnerable phases. According to him, a marriage thrives when both partners respect each other’s individuality while being there for one another in times of need.
On the work front, Shahid will be next seen in the action thriller ‘Deva’.
