Sonakshi Sinha-Zaheer Iqbal's wedding invite goes viral: Why their inter-faith marriage is 'nobody's business'

Amidst much speculation about their inter-faith marriage, actors Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal's wedding invite has gone viral on the internet thus putting all the rumours to rest. From the date and venue to the dress code-- the digital wedding invite is designed like a magazine cover with details of Sonakshi-Zaheer's wedding on June 23, 2024. What makes it unique is Sonakshi and Zaheer's audio which adds their personal touch to the digital invite; the new couple invites their friends and family to bless them on this new journey together.

In the invite, Sonakshi and Zaheer reveal that they have been together for the last seven years and now they plan to take their relationship to the next level by getting married.
However, even before their wedding invite was out, speculations were rife about the actors getting married; more so since its an inter-faith marriage. People took to social media to express their displeasure, some even questioned her actor-turned-politician father for her choice.
When asked if the rumours are true a few days back, Sonakshi's father Shatrughan Sinha had told a news portal that he and his wife also knew what was being said, and nothing more. “Main bhi utna hi jaanta hoon jitna media mein maine padha hai," Shatrughan had said, adding, “We wish her all happiness always." And to this, TV actor-comedian Sunil Pal was quick to share his views by posting on social media that "It's heartbreaking news for Shatrughan Sinha". More so, since (apparently) Sonakshi hasn't invited her parents to her big day.

But, one forgets that Sonakshi and Zaheer are both consenting adults and it is their life, their rules, and their choice! As Sonakshi rightly told an entertainment news portal, who asked her about her upcoming wedding, "it is nobody's business."
"Firstly, it's nobody's business. Secondly, it is my choice, so I don't know why people are so concerned about it. People ask me about my marriage more than my parents, so I find that very funny. Now, I am just used to it. It doesn't bother me. People are curious; what can we do about it?," Sonakshi said.
And, we totally agree with Sonakshi on this, just like her proud parents. In a recent interview with Etimes, Shatrughan Sinha shared that he is very close to his only daughter and he loves and supports her in her decisions. “Sonakshi is the apple of my eye. She is my only daughter and is very close to me. I am a proud father because, over the years, she has also grown as an actor... If my daughter is getting married, I will give her my blessings and support her decision and choice. Sonakshi has the right to choose her companion, and I will be the happiest father on her wedding day. I will always wish her the best... ek hi toh beti hai meri.”
Why Sonakshi-Zaheer's marriage is nobody's business

Marriage is a beautiful union between two people, based on love, trust, mutual respect and companionship. It is a commitment between two people to stay together in sickness and in health, where joys are doubled and burdens are halved. It is through marriage that couples build a life, create lasting memories, and overcome challenges together.
In India, a marriage is not just between two people but also between their families. In the case of an inter-cultural marriage, it is also an amalgamation of their cultural backgrounds. It is a conscious choice of the couple to take the best of both worlds and create a life of their own. What makes such unions more beautiful is the love and commitment of the two individuals in a marriage to understand each other, and become each other's biggest supporters in life. They can grow together as a couple, while also becoming the best versions of themselves in the process. And so, while inter-faith marriages might create a lot of buzz and might even be criticised by some, ultimately it is nobody else's business apart from the couple. It is the choice and decision of two consenting adults to get married to each other according to the laws.
Over the years, many celebrities have married inter-faith and have had successful marriages. Be it Sharmila Tagore and Tiger Pataudi or Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri, among others. More recently, actresses Swara Bhaskar, Richa Chadha, and Taapsee Pannu also had inter-cultural marriages.
As per reports, Sonakshi and Zaheer might get married under the Special Marriage Act, 1954. Sharing details about it, Dr. Rennie Joyy, Lawyer & Founder Aalekh Foundation, told us, "The Special Marriage Act (SMA) in India is a secular law allowing marriage irrespective of religion, caste, or faith. Unlike the Hindu Marriage Act and Muslim Personal Law, which are specific to their respective religions, SMA requires no religious ceremonies and provides a civil marriage registration. It is beneficial for Hindu-Muslim couples as it bypasses religious conversions and enables a neutral legal framework for their union, ensuring equal rights and protection under the law."