4 min learnNew DelhiUp to date: Jun 29, 2026 10:20 PM IST
Veteran actress Zeenat Aman has persistently advocated for live-in relationships, arguing that {couples} ought to spend time residing collectively earlier than making a lifelong authorized dedication. Her views have sparked criticism from a number of of her contemporaries, together with Mumtaz and Saira Banu. Regardless of the backlash, Zeenat continues to face by her perception.
In a latest dialog with Shubra Aiyappa, Zeenat defined why she feels live-in relationships are extra related than ever.
“In in the present day’s day and age—and even previously—nothing lasts ceaselessly. It’s essential to guarantee compatibility earlier than making a authorized dedication. That is my view. It’s essential to know whether or not you’re suitable mentally and emotionally. Should you’re planning to have kids, how will you increase them? What are your views on funds? If there is no such thing as a compatibility, what’s the purpose? Wouldn’t you quite have 5 joyous years as a substitute of fifteen depressing ones? That’s what I consider,” she stated.
Elaborating additional, the actress added, “Individuals assume romance goes to final ceaselessly. Nothing lasts ceaselessly. Relationships are all the time a piece in progress. There needs to be give and take, adjustment and compromise if issues are to work. Relationships evolve. Should you assume the honeymoon part goes to final ceaselessly, it doesn’t.”
Zeenat Aman has beforehand revealed that she offers the identical recommendation to her sons, encouraging them to stay with their companions earlier than deciding on marriage. Her perspective can also be formed by her personal troublesome experiences with relationships.
She was briefly married to Sanjay Khan, a relationship that ended amid allegations of bodily abuse after an notorious incident in a lodge room, throughout which she sustained critical accidents to certainly one of her eyes. She later married actor Mazhar Khan, however the marriage was additionally troubled. Zeenat has beforehand spoken about infidelity throughout her being pregnant and the sad finish to their relationship.
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Earlier, Zeenat Aman had confronted intense criticism after sharing her views on live-in relationships in an Instagram publish.
“One in all you requested me for relationship recommendation within the feedback part of my final publish. Right here’s a private opinion I haven’t beforehand shared—in case you’re in a relationship, I strongly suggest that you simply LIVE TOGETHER earlier than getting married!” she wrote.
She added, “This is identical recommendation I’ve all the time given my sons, each of whom have had, or are in, a live-in relationship. It simply appears logical to me that earlier than two folks get their households and the federal government concerned of their equation, they first put their relationship to the last word take a look at.”
Explaining her reasoning, Zeenat continued, “It’s simple to be the most effective model of your self for a couple of hours a day. However are you able to share a rest room? Climate the storm of a foul temper? Agree on what to eat for dinner each evening? Maintain the hearth alive within the bed room? Work via the million tiny conflicts that inevitably come up between two folks residing in shut proximity? In brief—are you really suitable?”
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Acknowledging that her opinion may spark controversy, she concluded, “I’m conscious that Indian society is just a little uptight about ‘residing in sin,’ however then once more, society is uptight about so many issues! Log kya kahenge?”
Her remarks, nonetheless, didn’t sit effectively with Saira Banu, who strongly disagreed with the recommendation.
“She has rapidly come into this large social media recognition, and I can perceive her pleasure about sounding like a cool aunty. However giving recommendation that’s counter to our ethical values will not be the answer to rising your following. Aap Zeenat ko hello le lo misaal ke taur par (Take Zeenat for instance). She knew Mazhar Khan for years earlier than marrying him. Her marriage was a residing hell. She must be the final particular person doling out recommendation on relationships,” Saira had stated.
