Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha is known for her straightforward personality, bold choices, and versatile roles on screen. However, when it comes to her personal life, especially her romantic relationships, Sonakshi has largely remained private. Recently, the actress made headlines when she revealed why she chose to keep her relationship with actor Zaheer Iqbal away from the public eye for so long, citing her belief in ‘nazar’—the evil eye or bad vibes that come from external envy and attention. This revelation stirred curiosity among her fans and followers, who were eager to know more about her relationship with Zaheer and why she felt so strongly about guarding it from the public gaze. In a candid interview, Sonakshi opened up about the superstitions and beliefs that influenced her decision to protect her relationship from unnecessary scrutiny. This article delves into Sonakshi’s beliefs, the dynamics of her relationship with Zaheer Iqbal, and how the concept of ‘nazar’ plays a role in the lives of many celebrities who feel pressured to hide their personal lives from the constant gaze of fans and the media. Born into a prominent Bollywood family, Sonakshi Sinha is the daughter of veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha. She made her Bollywood debut in 2010 with the blockbuster hit Dabangg, opposite superstar Salman Khan. Since then, she has carved out her own space in the film industry, starring in movies like Lootera, Rowdy Rathore, Akira, and Mission Mangal. Despite her fame, Sonakshi has always maintained a certain level of privacy when it comes to her personal life, a choice that many Bollywood stars struggle with due to the public’s insatiable curiosity about their favorite celebrities’ lives. For years, Sonakshi’s dating life remained a subject of speculation. She was often linked to various co-stars, but the actress never confirmed any relationship publicly. This gave rise to rumors and unverified reports about her romantic life, but Sonakshi rarely addressed them, preferring to focus on her career. The rumors surrounding Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal’s relationship began surfacing around 2022. Zaheer, an actor who made his Bollywood debut with Notebook in 2019, had become a frequent figure in Sonakshi’s social circle. The two were often spotted together at parties, events, and social gatherings, sparking curiosity about the nature of their relationship. As the rumors intensified, both Sonakshi and Zaheer remained tight-lipped, neither confirming nor denying their relationship. Their social media interactions added fuel to the fire, with fans speculating that there was more to their friendly banter than met the eye. Despite all the media attention and constant speculation, Sonakshi chose to maintain silence, allowing rumors to persist without addressing them directly. In a rare candid conversation during a recent interview, Sonakshi finally opened up about why she kept her relationship with Zaheer Iqbal under wraps for so long. She revealed that one of the primary reasons was her belief in the concept of ‘nazar’ or the evil eye. Sonakshi explained, “I believe in the concept of nazar. When too many people know about something precious in your life, they start sending negative vibes, even if unintentionally. It’s something I’ve always been cautious about.” This revelation highlighted Sonakshi’s deep-rooted belief in the power of negative energy, which is a common belief in Indian culture. The ‘nazar’ concept is based on the idea that the envy or jealousy of others can bring bad luck or misfortune, especially to something or someone dear to you. In Sonakshi’s case, her relationship with Zaheer was something she cherished, and she didn’t want it to be affected by external negativity. Sonakshi went on to explain that keeping her relationship private wasn’t just about avoiding media scrutiny or fan gossip but also about protecting her personal happiness from being tainted by external forces.
Sonakshi Sinha says she had her relationship with Zaheer Iqbal because of ‘nazar’
When you’re in the public eye, everyone has an opinion about your life, your choices, and your relationships. I didn’t want that for something as personal and important as my love life.” The concept of ‘nazar’ isn’t new in Bollywood. Many celebrities have expressed their concerns about the evil eye affecting their personal and professional lives. For years, Bollywood stars have believed that too much public attention or envy can bring negativity, which is why some prefer to keep their personal lives away from the spotlight. Several other Bollywood couples have also spoken about keeping their relationships private to avoid negative attention. For instance, actors Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt kept their relationship discreet for a long time before finally going public. Similarly, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh maintained a low profile about their relationship before making their marriage announcement. For many in the entertainment industry, where lives are constantly scrutinized, and every action is analyzed, maintaining privacy can be a way to protect their mental and emotional well-being. The belief in ‘nazar’ provides a cultural context to this need for privacy. Whether or not one believes in the supernatural aspects of ‘nazar,’ the desire to shield one’s private life from undue attention is understandable, especially in an industry as high-pressure as Bollywood. While Sonakshi Sinha’s belief in ‘nazar’ has played a significant role in her decision to keep her relationship with Zaheer Iqbal private, their love story has blossomed in its own unique way, away from the prying eyes of the public. The two actors share a close bond, and those who know them personally have often spoken about their compatibility and mutual respect. Zaheer Iqbal, who is relatively new to the film industry, has also maintained a low profile when it comes to his personal life. Like Sonakshi, he has avoided addressing the rumors and has focused on his acting career. However, their recent public appearances together and social media interactions have indicated that the two are serious about each other. While they haven’t made any formal announcement about their relationship or future plans, their fans are eagerly awaiting more updates.