Actor Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub and writer-actor-director Rasika Agashe have become an emblem of inter-faith marriage. Recently, Rasika shared a significant incident from their lives, shedding light on their journey together.
In an interview, Rasika Agashe openly discussed her inter-faith marriage to Zeeshan Ayyub and recalled the Tanishq Ad controversy, which brought attention to their relationship. Initially unaware of the social media trolling, Rasika discovered its impact when Zeeshan brought it to her attention. Reflecting on her tweet about their inter-faith union years ago, in response to the Tanishq advertisement, Rasika recalled saying, “I posted that tweet and didn’t think much about it, social media was still a new thing for me. Some time later, Zeeshan asked me what I had done. And then I saw all the trolling that was happening. ‘Oh, so this is what trolling is,’ I remember saying.”
Also Read: Overcoming Stereotypes: Zeeshan Ayyub On Battling Judgments Based On Appearance And Language
The controversy surrounding a Hindu-Muslim marriage portrayed in a Tanishq ad in 2020 prompted Rasika to share a photo from her own godh bharai ceremony on her Twitter handle. Alongside the picture, she emphasized the need to understand the Special Marriage Act and cautioned against the knee-jerk reactions of “love jihad” allegations. Unfortunately, her post also faced significant backlash.
During the conversation, Rasika highlighted the privileges she experiences as someone belonging to an upper religious background. She acknowledged her freedom to speak her mind and the rights bestowed upon her by birth, contrasting them with the more careful considerations her husband, Zeeshan, as a member of a minority group, has to navigate. Rasika admitted that it was only after marrying Zeeshan that she fully grasped the challenges faced by minorities.
Related Articles: From Delhi Dreams To Mumbai Struggles: Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub And Rasika Agashe’s Survival On “Zero Money”
“I always tell him, I’m a part of the majority in this country, and I do a lot without thinking much about it. And I wish he could do this as well. Being a part of the majority, you feel bad that the minority has to consider everything so carefully,” Rasika explained. Realizing her own privilege, she emphasized the importance of creating an inclusive society where minorities can also feel secure and free from discrimination.
