In the glitzy world of Bollywood, a clash of opinions has erupted among stars from the 80s regarding the idea of live-in relationships, especially in the context of modern times. This debate was sparked by a recent post from veteran actor Zeenat Aman, who suggested that couples should try living together before tying the knot to better understand each other. However, not everyone agrees with her viewpoint.
Mukesh Khanna’s Traditional Stance
Mukesh Khanna, renowned for his role as Shaktiman, expressed a conservative view on live-in relationships. In an interview with Dainik Jagran, he remarked, “Live-in relationships are not recognized in our culture and history. It has come from Western civilization. Zeenat Aman is speaking about the matter, and she has lived her life according to Western civilization from the very beginning.”
He raised concerns about the compatibility of couples living together before marriage, highlighting potential challenges if they don’t get along. Mukesh firmly believes that such arrangements go against Indian cultural norms and values.
Soni Razdan’s Witty Response
Actress Soni Razdan, however, took a different stance and playfully mocked Mukesh Khanna’s perspective. On her Twitter account, she quipped, “Gosh. Can’t imagine what would happen if a couple lived together in a ‘live-in’ relationship and didn’t get along. The mind boggles.” Her lighthearted response indicated support for Zeenat Aman’s viewpoint.
Mumtaz’s Cautionary Note
In an interview with Zoom, veteran actress Mumtaz expressed caution regarding Zeenat Aman’s advice. She warned against giving guidance that contradicts traditional moral values merely for the sake of social media popularity. Mumtaz cited Zeenat’s own experience, mentioning her tumultuous marriage to Mazhar Khan despite knowing him for years beforehand. Mumtaz emphasized the importance of considering cultural values when offering relationship advice.
Saira Banu’s Disapproval
Adding to the dissenting voices, Saira Banu expressed her strong disapproval of live-in relationships in an interview with HT City. She adamantly stated, “Iss baat se main toh sehmat nahi ho sakti hu kabhi bhi (I can never agree with this statement). I would never advocate live-in relationships like that. It’s something unimaginable and unacceptable for me.” Saira’s traditional beliefs align with Mukesh Khanna’s stance against the modern trend of cohabitation before marriage.
The clash of opinions among Bollywood veterans highlights the ongoing societal debate surrounding live-in relationships. While some, like Zeenat Aman and Soni Razdan, advocate for this modern approach to understanding compatibility, others, such as Mukesh Khanna, Mumtaz, and Saira Banu, remain rooted in traditional values. This divergence of perspectives reflects the broader cultural shifts and evolving attitudes toward relationships in contemporary Indian society.
