Actress Swara Bhasker has come forward in support of Sonakshi Sinha, who is facing criticism on social media over her upcoming wedding to Zaheer Iqbal. The online backlash centers on the fact that Sinha is marrying a Muslim man, a point of contention for some social media users.

Swara Bhasker, who herself is in an interfaith marriage with Samajwadi Party’s Fahad Ahmad, addressed the negativity during a recent interview. “Lots of experts offered their opinions during my wedding as well. But we’re talking about two consenting adults here. What they do in their private lives, whether they get married or not, it’s up to them. It’s nobody’s business if they’re living together, getting married in a court, or having a nikaah, or an Arya Samaj wedding. It’s between the man and the woman, and their families. It’s Sonakshi’s life; she’s chosen her partner. Her partner has chosen her. Now it’s between them and their families. I find this a very time-waste debate,” Swara stated.

Swara also commented on the expected intensification of criticism if and when Sonakshi and Zaheer have children. “Wait and watch, when they have a child, there will be a separate debate around the child’s name. We’ve seen it happen with Kareena and Saif’s kids, and with my kid. It’s completely idiotic, but this isn’t going to end anytime soon,” she added.

Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal are set to tie the knot on June 23. Bhasker, who married Ahmad in a court ceremony last year, has been vocal about her views on interfaith marriages. The couple celebrated their union with a week of wedding festivities and welcomed their first child, a daughter, on September 23 last year. Swara recently marked her daughter’s first Bakrid celebration.

The ongoing debate highlights the social challenges faced by public figures in interfaith relationships in India, where personal choices often become a focal point of public scrutiny.