Actress Sagarika Ghatge, best known for playing the fierce and determined hockey player Preeti Sabarwal in Chak De! India, has always kept her personal life fairly private.
But now, in a refreshing and candid interview, she’s opened up about something many were curious about, her interfaith marriage with former Indian cricketer Zaheer Khan.
For those who don’t know, Sagarika and Zaheer tied the knot in November 2017 after dating for a while. Their relationship first came into the spotlight in 2016, especially when they were seen together at cricketer Yuvraj Singh’s wedding. While the two looked happy and in love, many couldn’t help but talk about the fact that they came from different religious backgrounds.
In a recent interview on Hauterrfly’s The Male Feminist, Sagarika finally addressed the subject that’s followed them since they went public. And her response? Honest, graceful, and deeply relatable.
“It was people around us who were making that conversation,” she said, brushing off the external noise. “My parents were very progressive people, and of course, things were discussed. But for me, it was important to find the right human being with whom I could share my life.”
That one line says it all. While the world debated religions, Sagarika chose love — and a partner who aligned with her values. She shared that despite the chatter outside, her parents were never an obstacle. In fact, they embraced Zaheer wholeheartedly.
Sagarika shared how nervous she was before introducing Zaheer to her father, especially ahead of their public appearance at Yuvraj’s wedding. “I thought the meeting would last 10 minutes,” she laughed. “But it went on for more than an hour.”
That meeting turned out to be the beginning of a beautiful 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 joked.
She even revealed a funny moment when her father contacted Zaheer’s former coach — who also happens to be her uncle — to find out more about him. The coach texted Zaheer directly, and unsure of how to respond, Zaheer showed it to Sagarika. In true couple style, they decided to just… not reply!
But behind the laughs and light-hearted moments is a powerful truth — love, respect, and individuality can bridge any cultural or religious gap. Sagarika and Zaheer have built their relationship on mutual understanding and valuing each other’s differences. And that’s what makes their bond so strong.
In a world quick to judge, Sagarika’s story is a quiet but firm reminder: love doesn’t need to explain itself.