Raj Shamani (Figuring Out)
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Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Indian Express
Why Neena Gupta forbade daughter Masaba from living with her fiance before marriage: ‘They separated, and I was devastated'
Neena Gupta's bold take on love, relationships, and dating has prompted several people to pause and reflect. Her personal experiences have reimagined conventional notions laid down for women in society, and the actor has been associated with all things progressive and empowering. During a recent conversation with podcaster Ranveer Allahabadia, the Badhai Do actor, however, surprised audiences with her somewhat traditional views on live-in relationships and marriage. When her daughter expressed the desire to live with her fiancé before marriage, Neena firmly said no. She explained that marriage has its own phases, and it's only by staying together through difficult times that real understanding and strength are built. However, Masaba's experience had her rethinking her take. 'When Masaba came to me before getting married, she didn't want to marry initially. She said she wants to live with her future husband. Somewhere or the other, my motherly instinct kicked in. I said, 'No, you will not shift with him'. You get married,' recalled the actor. However, sharing how it turned out to be hasty advice on her part, she added, ' It was a mistake. They separated, and I was devastated. I could not imagine. When she told me, I was completely numb for a month, as if I had nothing. It was a very difficult time.' Counselling psychologist Athul Raj told that what holds a relationship together long-term isn't the wedding. 'It's the consistency, the communication, and how people respond to each other when things aren't easy. In a live-in setup, the commitment may not be legal, but the emotional contract is just as real — sometimes more so,' he said. According to him, long-term live-in couples often stay together not because of external expectations, but because the relationship still works for both of them. 'When couples don't have the label of marriage, they often communicate more intentionally. There's no assumption of permanence, so there's more effort to understand each other, repair after conflict, and check in about goals and values,' he shared. Emotionally, relationships tend to evolve with fewer assumptions. Roles are negotiated rather than inherited. Boundaries are spoken, not implied. Raj believes the absence of a formal title doesn't take away from the depth of the bond. If anything, it requires a deeper clarity–about what both people want, how they define loyalty, and how they handle vulnerability. Raj noted that commitment in Indian societies is often only recognised if it fits a familiar format–most often, marriage. So when a couple says they're fully committed but not married, it can create discomfort in families and social circles. Couples should be encouraged to define their relationship privately before responding publicly. 'Are you emotionally aligned? Do you see a shared future? Do you feel safe and respected? If those answers are clear, it becomes easier to face external pressure without being destabilised by it,' he suggested. Raj also added that it is completely normal to feel hurt when others don't understand your choices. 'But when that happens, what couples need to remember is that legitimacy doesn't come from other people's approval. It comes from how the relationship feels on the inside,' he said, adding that it is important to acknowledge that unconventional choices often come with some loneliness. 'There may be moments when your bond feels invisible to others. That can sting. But if your partnership is clear, connected, and real to you, that becomes its form of validation,' he concluded.
Indian Express
5 hours ago
- Indian Express
‘A true ‘thirst trap' post,' say netizens as podcaster Raj Shamani claims to be a water connoisseur
Painting, singing, cooking, and dancing – we have come across a wide variety of hobbies. But have you heard of reviewing and rating water as one? Podcaster Raj Shamani, who identifies as a water connoisseur, claims to do just that. In conversation with Chalchitra Talks, Shamani opened up about his fascination for plain and simple water. 'Mujhe paani peena pasand hai, main na daaru peeta hoon, na main zyada soft drinks peeta hoon, toh mere paas peene ke liye option kya hai? Toh ab main har country mein jaata hoon aur dekhta hoon kaun kaunse paani available hain (I love drinking water. Neither do I drink alcohol, nor do I have a lot of soft drinks. So I do not have a lot of options left. I visit every country and try out their different options of water available),' he shared. Shamani also shared 3 unique stories of tasting water abroad: 'There's a kind of water available in Denmark, called Iskilde water — a kind of artesian water from glaciers that remains untouched and unprocessed. 'Usse meetha paani maine life mein nahi peeya (I have never tasted sweeter water in life),' said the podcaster. According to AquaDeli, a water sommelier blog, it comes from a spring discovered in 2001 in the Danish lake highlands, sourced from an aquifer 60 meters deep. The water is naturally filtered through layers of soil, sand, and clay, absorbing a variety of minerals. 'Iskilde' means 'cold spring' in Danish, and the water is bottled at a very low temperature, resulting in a high oxygen content and a silky, slightly sweet taste. Next, he spoke about UK's Hildon, that is served in the Buckingham Palace and the Royals drink it. 'There's nothing different in it, but I think it's just the hype and story, and process surrounding it that makes all the elite and royalty gravitate towards it. Third, Shamani talked about American brand Bling H2O, which costs Rs 5,000 per bottle. 'It's just regular water, there's nothing else to it. Just the bottle's packaging uses crystals to emboss the word 'Bling'. People do not care what they are drinking, they care what they a re holding,' he said. 'There's liquid death, and Bodyarmour if you want water loaded with electrolytes. If you want to drink Norwegian water, try Voss, that Harvey Specter is seen drinking in the show Suits. It's Rs 600 a bottle,' Shamani added. His niche obsession fascinated the internet, with netizens taking to comments to show their appreciation and enthusiasm for Shamani's interest. From ''He is from Rajasthan…they know water is the most valuable,' 'This is actually really cool. Never thought someone could analyze water and actually make it interesting! I am thirsty just listening to this. A true 'thirst trap' post,' to 'Yes yes I am the target audience,' people lauded the podcaster for opening up and spreading awareness about such a unique concept.
News18
18 hours ago
- News18
Raj Kundra REACTS To ‘PR Stunt' Claims After Offering Kidney To Premanand Maharaj: ‘Judge Less, Love More'
Raj Kundra responds to 'PR stunt' allegations after offering his kidney to Premanand Maharaj during a Vrindavan visit. The businessman calls for compassion over cynicism. Shilpa Shetty and her husband, businessman Raj Kundra, have once again found themselves in the media spotlight — this time for a mix of controversy, compassion, and criticism. Recently, the couple visited Vrindavan, where a video surfaced showing a deeply personal and unexpected moment. In the clip, Raj Kundra is seen listening to spiritual leader Premanand Maharaj speak about his health struggles. Maharaj revealed that both his kidneys have failed and that he has been living with the condition for over a decade. In a spontaneous gesture, Raj offered his own kidney to Maharaj, leaving Shilpa visibly surprised. While the Maharaj appreciated the sentiment, he politely declined the offer. The Offer and the Backlash What might have been viewed as an act of selflessness quickly became a subject of online debate. Many social media users dismissed Raj's offer as nothing more than a 'PR stunt," pointing to his controversial past. The skepticism gained enough traction that Raj decided to directly address it on social media. Taking to Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), Raj wrote, 'Strange world we live in when someone chooses to offer a part of themselves to save another's life, it's mocked as a PR stunt. If compassion is a stunt, may the world see more of it. If humanity is a strategy, may more people adopt it. I'm not defined by labels the media or trolls throw at me." Strange world we live in when someone chooses to offer a part of themselves to save another's life, it's mocked as a PR stunt. If compassion is a stunt, may the world see more of it. If humanity is a strategy, may more people adopt it. I'm not defined by labels the media or…— Raj Kundra (@onlyrajkundra) August 15, 2025 The businessman didn't stop there. He also addressed the tendency of the public to judge him through the lens of his past controversies, adding, 'My past does not cancel my present choices, and my present intentions are not for you to measure with your cynicism. Judge less, love more — you might just save a life too. #RadheRadhe #HumanityFirst #LetGoodnessLive." Legal Troubles Loom in the Background Raj's heartfelt statement comes at a time when both he and Shilpa Shetty are facing serious allegations. Businessman Deepak Kothari has accused the couple of defrauding him of ₹60 crore between 2015 and 2023. According to Kothari, the money was meant for expanding their business ventures but was allegedly diverted towards personal expenses. The case is currently being investigated by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW). In response to the allegations, the couple's legal representative, Advocate Prashant Patil, issued a statement dismissing the claims as 'baseless" and 'malicious." The Viral Video and Public Perception In the widely circulated video from Vrindavan, Shilpa and Raj can be seen sitting among other devotees, listening intently to Maharaj's words. The moment Raj offers his kidney, Shilpa's eyes widen in surprise, her reaction sparking as much conversation as the offer itself. While some online lauded the gesture as admirable, others remained steadfast in their belief that it was timed for publicity. The Maharaj, while touched by the offer, declined it, choosing instead to thank Raj for his compassion. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
