Shibani expressed her feelings about the negative comments she faced early in her relationship with Farhan, saying, “When I first started dating Farhan, the main criticisms I encountered were ‘love jihad’ and ‘gold-digger.’
What can I do with that? I’m not going to let it affect me. I’m not a gold-digger. The reality is, he comes from a Muslim background and I come from a Hindu family, and we’re very happy in our marriage. So let people say whatever they want; it doesn’t change our situation.”
Farhan echoed Shibani’s sentiments, likening the personal attacks they experienced to critiques of a film. “If someone’s intention is to hurt, then why take it to heart? Sometimes reviews can offer constructive criticism. If a review highlights weak points in a film or suggests improvements, you can learn from it, regardless of the effort put into the project.
However, if the intent is simply to tear something down, that becomes clear. Even a comment about what someone is wearing can come off as valid if it’s framed in a thoughtful way; it’s all about the intention behind it,” he explained.
Dating since 2017, Farhan and Shibani married in 2022. On the professional front, Farhan is set to star in 120 Bahadur and will direct Don 3 and Jee Le Zaraa, while Shibani will appear in Dabba Cartel.