Being a celebrity and trying to lead a normal life is indeed tough. Celebs are not only loved by many, but their lives– be it professional or personal– are also often under scrutiny by the public. And why not? They play a huge role in shaping the society we live in by influencing people world over. In today’s interconnected world, celebrities often serve as a mirror to societal norms, trends, and challenges, particularly in their personal lives and family dynamics. Be it Hollywood stars, Bollywood icons, sportspersons, billionaires, or the British royalty– their lives give a glimpse of modern relationships and how they are evolving and changing with time. By examining the lives of celebrities, we can notice patterns and lessons that might resonate with ordinary people who are navigating similar relationship landscapes:
1. Blended families are becoming the new normal
While the show ‘Modern Family’ might be seem a bit far-fetched for Indian viewers, one can’t deny the presence and rise of blended families in contemporary India and how they are becoming the new normal. Take for instance, celebrated lyricist-writer Javed Akhtar and his wife Shabana being in good terms with his first wife Honey Irani, his two children Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar, and their extended families. In fact, recently Farhan Akhtar had even posted a family picture from his daughter Shakya’s convocation. In the picture one can notice ex-spouses, current partners, step-parents, children all coming together as a big fat and happy family.
Photo: Farhan Akhtar/ Instagram
Another example of this is veteran writer Salim Khan, his two wives– Salma and Helen, and his children and grandkids all of whom are often spotted together at family gatherings and celebrations. A common thread that hold them together is of course Salim Khan, but also their mutual love, respect and acceptance of each other in the family.
Talking of the younger generation, Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan’s family dynamic also exemplifies this. After getting a divorce from his first wife Amrita Singh, Saif is now married to actress Kareena Kapoor with whom he has two adorable kids– Taimur and Jeh. However, his co-parenting relationship with his ex-wife Amrita highlights the complexities of maintaining harmony in blended families. Despite their differences and challenges, Saif and Amrita seem to prioritise their children Sara and Ibrahim’s well-being first. With Sara and Ibrahim often visting Saif and Kareena and celebrating special occasions together as a family, this is a reflection of their amicable relationship with each other in the blended family.
Mumbai, Aug 19 (IANS) Actress Sara Ali Khan on Monday shared heartwarming pictures with her brothers and family on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.
In the West too, the concept of blended families are often in many celebrity relationships. For instance, actor Will Smith and his ex-wife Sheree Zampino, along with his current wife Jada Pinkett Smith, have managed a successful co-parenting relationship for years now. Their openness about their struggles and triumphs has inspired many to reimagine family structures that go beyond the traditional norms.
In the British royal family too, one can notice this happen in Prince Charles’s (now King Charles III) marriage to Camilla Parker Bowles. Despite getting a divorce from Princess Diana in the early 1990s, Prince Charles continued to be actively play his role as a father to his sons– Prince William and Prince Harry–from his previous marriage with Princess Diana. This shows how blended families are becoming more accepted in even the most traditional family set-ups.
2. Redefining marriage and commitment
Over the years, many Indian celebrities have not only embraced live-in relationships but have also, in a way, normalised it in our society. In a candid interview with Karan Johar for Koffee With Karan, Twinkle Khanna once shared how her relationship with her husband Akshay Kumar started of as a fling. And a few months later when Akshay proposed marriage to her and met her mother Dimple Kapadia for the first time, the latter had suggested them to try living together for a year before taking their relationship to the next level. And so, Akshay and Twinkle gave it a try and in 2001, the couple got married in a grand celebration.
In 2018, Bollywood actor Neha Dhupia’s marriage to Angad Bedi broke stereotypes with their candid discussion about pre-marital pregnancy. By openly addressing societal taboos, they became symbols of changing attitudes toward relationships and family planning.
Actors Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor were also in a live-in relationship for roughly five years, after which they finally tied the knot on April 14, 2022. In November the same year, the couple welcomed their daughter Raha and embraced parenthood.
While these instances are a bit rare when it comes to our traditional Indian society, there are some exceptions. Some celebrities’ personal lives are a reflection of this, and how marriages and commitment are now being redefined in contemporary times.
Commenting on a Reddit thread titled ‘How have celebrity relationships influenced your thoughts on relationships?’, a user named r/Fauxmoi had shared, “I think the biggest thing for me is the reinforcement of the concept of right person wrong time. You see that a lot in some celeb relationships where they will get back together after a long time (Ben and JLo, Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford, Liz and Dick etc.). After seeing how the more “boring” couples have long lasting relationships compared to the PDA filled couples, I’m starting to think that the boring love is the one that lasts the longest and is probably the healthiest.”
3. The rise of equality in partnerships
Over the years, egalitarianism or equality in relationships has gained a lot of attention, and many celebrities’ relationships are an example of this. For instance: Bollywood’s Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh are celebrated not just for their love story but also for their mutual love, respect, and support for each other’s careers. Ranveer’s open admiration for Deepika’s achievements challenges traditional gender roles in Indian society. While in the US, former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle have often emphasised on the importance of partnership and equality in their marriage. Their shared responsibilities and mutual encouragement is a great example of a balanced relationship in modern times.
4. Cutting off toxic family ties
In the UK, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle have not only redefined royal relationships but also taught people a lesson or two about prioritising one’s mental health above all. In 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan shocked the world by announcing that they have stepped down from their duties as senior members of the royal family to focus on their family and mental well-being. While many criticised the couple for running away from their duties or subsequently badmouthing their families, this also highlights the importance of prioritising one’s personal happiness and shared goals over societal expectations.
5. Parenting and work-life balance
Since celebs’ lives are constantly under public scrutiny, raising their children in a normal environment is yet another challenge which is unique to celebrity families but it is also kind-of reflective of broader societal pressures. For example, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and his wife Gauri Khan have navigated parenting their three children while maintaining their public personas and separate work-lives. Their openness about balancing work and family life resonates with many working parents.
Many Indian celebs are also protecting their children’s privacy by not letting paparazzi click their pictures or hiding them on social media. For instance, Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli refrain from posting about their children online; they have also not allowed the press to post their kids’ pictures.
Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas too don’t share their daughter Malti Marie Chopra Jonas’ pictures without blurring her face, in order to protect her privacy.
While another user named plantbay1428 wrote in the same Reddit thread, “It makes me think about my future relationship with my children, if I do have them. I’m going to keep my posting about them to a minimum. Not going to block out their faces or freak out if they’re in a group photo or anything like that, but I won’t post if they do or say something silly. They have a right to decide what information about them is out there, even if I have privacy settings.”
The British royals Prince William and Kate Middleton too have modernised royal parenting style by being hands-on parents to their three children. Their efforts to provide a sense of normalcy shows the universal desire to prioritise children’s well-being over societal expectations– which many Indian couples would relate to.
6. Being friends and co-parenting after divorce
Modern relationships increasingly challenge conventional definitions of marriage and commitment. In the U.S., actress Jennifer Garner and actor Ben Affleck’s amicable co-parenting dynamic shows the power of prioritising one’s family over personal differences. Their ability to adapt to new circumstances while maintaining a strong bond with their children reflects modern relational priorities. While Hollywood has many examples of celebrities divorcing and co-parenting their kids, thus prioritising family stability post-divorce, this is now being practiced by many Indian celebs too.
For instance, ace cricketer Hardik Pandya and his ex-wife Natasa Stankovic seem to be amicable with each other for the sake of their son Agastya.
There’s a talk in the city that I’m going back (to Serbia). How would I go back? I have a child. The child goes to school here. The child needs to be here. He belongs here. The family is here at the end of the day. We (Hardik and I) are still family. We have a child, and the child will always make us family at the end of the day. I haven’t done that anyway because Agastya needs to stay with both parents.
Natasa Satankovic said in an earlier interview with TOI.
Some other Indian celebs who are also co-parenting their children post-divorce are Malaika Arora and Arbaaz Khan, Hrithik Roshan and Suzanne Khan, Sohail Khan and Seema Sajdeh, among others. In the West, the world’s richest man Elon Musk is also said to be co-parenting his children with Neuralink Director Shivon Zillis. Musk and Zillis have three children together, including twins born in 2021 and a third child born in 2024. Apart from them, Musk also has children with his former wife Justine Musk, and former partner Grimmes.
Similarly, in the UK, singer Adele’s candidness about her divorce and subsequent growth has resonated with many. Her willingness to discuss the emotional challenges of ending a marriage while also co-parenting with her ex-husband shows how modern relationships value authenticity over perfection.
And so, the lives and family dynamics of celebrities across the world might seem fascinating to many, but they are also a reflection of modern relationships. While their fame amplifies their challenges and triumphs, the underlying themes of adaptability, communication, and mutual respect are universally relatable. By observing how they navigate their relationship challenges of love, parenting, and societal expectations, one can learn how to build stronger and more fulfilling bonds in our own lives.
