Entertainment

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Bollywood actors Ali Fazal and Richa Chadha have opened up about the unique circumstances surrounding their interfaith marriage, revealing how the COVID-19 lockdown unexpectedly helped them complete their legal wedding process with minimal public attention.

The couple, who had originally planned a grand wedding celebration in 2020, saw their plans disrupted by the nationwide lockdown imposed during the coronavirus pandemic. While the public celebrations had to be postponed, the two decided to proceed with their legal marriage under the Special Marriage Act. According to Richa Chadha, the process turned out to be remarkably smooth and peaceful because of the unusual situation created by the pandemic. 

Richa explained that since they belonged to different faiths, they chose to marry under the Special Marriage Act, a legal framework designed for interfaith and civil marriages in India. She noted that family courts usually display marriage notices publicly for a month, a requirement that often attracts unwanted attention. However, because the country was under lockdown and very few people were visiting courts, the couple managed to complete the formalities quietly and without public scrutiny. 

The actress said that the family court officials effectively encouraged them to complete the process at that time, as court operations were limited during the lockdown period. As a result, the couple legally married in 2020, although the news remained largely unknown to the public for nearly two years.

Despite being legally married, Ali Fazal and Richa Chadha postponed their wedding celebrations due to the pandemic. Ali had previously stated that the couple did not want to risk the health and safety of their families and friends. The wedding festivities were therefore delayed until conditions improved and restrictions were lifted. 

The couple eventually celebrated their union with family and friends in 2022 through a series of events held in Delhi, Lucknow, and Mumbai. Later, their spokesperson confirmed that they had actually been legally married for more than two years before the public celebrations took place. 

Richa Chadha has repeatedly described her marriage to Ali Fazal as a positive and enriching experience. Speaking about their interfaith relationship, she said both families are liberal and supportive, allowing them to embrace each other's traditions and festivals. She has often highlighted how the marriage has enabled her to learn about different cultures and customs while maintaining mutual respect and understanding. 

The couple first met while working on the film Fukrey and gradually developed a relationship that evolved into one of Bollywood’s most admired partnerships. Their story has often been cited as an example of how love, mutual respect, and family support can overcome social and religious differences. 

What began as a wedding postponed by a global pandemic ultimately became a unique chapter in their lives, with the lockdown helping them quietly formalize their relationship before celebrating it with the world two years later.