Sagarika Ghatge, who is known for her role in Chak De! India, recently shared insights into her interfaith marriage with former Indian cricketer Zaheer Khan. Speaking on Hauterrfly’s The Male Feminist, she revealed that while external discussions surrounded their different religious backgrounds, her family never made it an issue.
Sagarika emphasized that what truly mattered to her was finding a partner who aligned with her values. “It was people around us who were making that conversation. My parents were very progressive people, and of course, things were discussed. But for me, it was important to find the right human being who I could share my life with,” she said, adding, “We both are very individual people, and that is the beauty of it.”
She fondly reminisced about Zaheer’s first meeting with her father, describing it as the beginning of a wonderful bond. “Once Zaheer met my dad, it was the most beautiful relationship. Even with my mother, I think she loves him more than she loves me!” she laughed.
Sagarika recalled how she informed her father about their relationship before it became public. “I was attending Yuvraj Singh’s wedding, and I knew it was going to come out. So before that, I had to tell my dad,” she said.
She recalled feeling anxious about their first meeting, expecting it to be a quick introduction. “I thought it would last just 10 minutes, but it went on for over an hour,” she shared. After learning about their relationship, Sagarika’s father reached out to Zaheer’s former coach, Anshuman Gaikwad. “My dad messaged Anshuman uncle and then he texted Zaheer saying, ‘Oh, I heard you are friendly with my niece,’” she added. Unsure of how to respond, Zaheer showed the message to Sagarika, who advised him not to reply.
Despite the initial nerves, the couple’s families bonded well, and their relationship has only grown stronger over time.
