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Actor Shilpa Shetty and her husband, businessman Raj Kundra, have often been candid about their relationship, openly prioritising their marriage over everything else. Despite facing several ups and downs, the couple continues to stand as pillars of support for each other. In a recent interview with Filmygyan, Raj spoke at length about his bond with Shilpa and offered fans an honest perspective on how love evolves when responsibilities enter a marriage.
“Vo Rishta Hi Kya Jo Pakad Ke Rakhna Pade”
Reflecting on the essence of love, Raj explained, “Vo rishta hi kya jo pakad ke rakhna pade (What is the point of that relationship if you have to hold on to it). If love is there, it’s there. You don’t have to hold onto someone. If she’s yours, she’s gonna come back to you. You’ve to let a person go, you’ve to let them live. Shilpa and I are the wind between each other’s wings. And, I think people have seen that over the last 15 years. There have been so many ups and downs. Yet, we have stood strong with each other.”
Marriage Is The “Hardest Thing”
Raj went on to admit that marriage is not always rosy, stressing that love changes with time. “The love stays for around a year or two and then it melts away. You become a father, you have kids, you have responsibilities, so the ‘coochie-koo’ love lessens somewhere. You have to be realistic about it. We have to say we love each other, we are partners for life, we’re soulmates, we’re going to stick together.”
He acknowledged that many couples falter at this stage. “Some relationships go wrong after the first or second year, thinking that the ‘coochie-koo’ phase is not continuing. You mature a little bit in life. And somewhere, it’s important to keep the relationship strong. But, understand that you have got more responsibilities now.”
The Secret To A Strong Bond
Revealing how he and Shilpa nurture their marriage, Raj shared the importance of quality time. “Shilpa and I are very particular, we have our Friday night dates, where the husband and wife go out and when the kids ask where are you going? So we tell them, now it’s mom’s time. I always tell Shilpa that Indian parents tend to prioritise kids too much. I want to tell everyone that if you are in love, your kids will grow up and proceed with their lives, and by then you realise that you concentrated on them too much that your own relationship melted away.”
For Raj, the formula is simple: “It’s important to prioritise your partner first. Kids are there, they are the priority, but you have to prioritise the relationship. Jitna gudd daalo, utna hi meetha lagta hai (the more jaggery you add, the sweeter it tastes).”
Raj And Shilpa’s Life Today
Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty, who tied the knot in 2009, are proud parents to two children — son Viaan and daughter Samisha. Even as they focus on family, the couple has also had their share of challenges. Recently, Shilpa announced that her popular Bandra restaurant Bastian would permanently shut down on September 4, following allegations of financial discrepancies worth ₹60 crore.
Through it all, Raj and Shilpa continue to demonstrate that marriage, while not without trials, thrives on partnership, trust, and constant effort.
