Pooja Bedi, who made her Bollywood debut opposite Aamir Khan in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, stepped away from the film industry after marrying businessman Farhan Furniturewala in 1994. Despite receiving multiple offers after the film’s success, she chose to prioritise her married life and responsibilities as a wife and daughter-in-law.
In a recent interview, Pooja reflected on her interfaith marriage and how social attitudes have changed over the years. She said that during the 1990s, marriages between Hindus and Muslims did not attract the kind of public reaction often seen today. She also described her former in-laws as traditional and admitted that continuing her acting career after marriage would have made them uncomfortable.
Following her marriage, Pooja even returned signing amounts she had accepted for future films. Explaining her decision, she said she wanted to fully dedicate herself to her new role in the family and become “the best version” of a wife and daughter-in-law. She also noted that married actresses at the time were often viewed as having limited career prospects in Bollywood.
Although her marriage eventually ended in divorce after 12 years, Pooja said she does not see it as a failure. She credited the relationship for giving her two children and a lifelong friendship with her former husband. “Just because I had 12 good years doesn’t mean I should have 50 bad years,” she said while explaining why she chose to leave the marriage when things became unhappy.
Pooja admitted the divorce was emotionally painful and described it as a “crushing blow,” but said she realised the relationship had become beyond repair. Her perspective on separation, she revealed, was influenced by her parents — actors Kabir Bedi and Protima Bedi — who divorced when she was young yet maintained a warm and respectful bond.
She also shared that she continues to share a close relationship with Farhan’s current wife, Layla, and considers their son an extension of her own family. Earlier in a podcast, Bedi had revealed that by the time of her divorce in 2003, she was 32 years old and responsible for two young children, and received no alimony.
Pooja Bedi was born on 11 May 1970 to actors Kabir Bedi and Protima Bedi. She worked in films like Vishkanya, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander with Aamir Khan, Lootere, and Aatank Hi Aatank before transitioning into television hosting and writing. She is the mother of actress Alaya F, known for Jawaani Jaaneman and Freddy, and son Omar. In 2019, she got engaged to Maneck Contractor.
In a recent interview, Pooja reflected on her interfaith marriage and how social attitudes have changed over the years. She said that during the 1990s, marriages between Hindus and Muslims did not attract the kind of public reaction often seen today. She also described her former in-laws as traditional and admitted that continuing her acting career after marriage would have made them uncomfortable.
Following her marriage, Pooja even returned signing amounts she had accepted for future films. Explaining her decision, she said she wanted to fully dedicate herself to her new role in the family and become “the best version” of a wife and daughter-in-law. She also noted that married actresses at the time were often viewed as having limited career prospects in Bollywood.
Although her marriage eventually ended in divorce after 12 years, Pooja said she does not see it as a failure. She credited the relationship for giving her two children and a lifelong friendship with her former husband. “Just because I had 12 good years doesn’t mean I should have 50 bad years,” she said while explaining why she chose to leave the marriage when things became unhappy.
Pooja admitted the divorce was emotionally painful and described it as a “crushing blow,” but said she realised the relationship had become beyond repair. Her perspective on separation, she revealed, was influenced by her parents — actors Kabir Bedi and Protima Bedi — who divorced when she was young yet maintained a warm and respectful bond.
She also shared that she continues to share a close relationship with Farhan’s current wife, Layla, and considers their son an extension of her own family. Earlier in a podcast, Bedi had revealed that by the time of her divorce in 2003, she was 32 years old and responsible for two young children, and received no alimony.
Pooja Bedi was born on 11 May 1970 to actors Kabir Bedi and Protima Bedi. She worked in films like Vishkanya, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander with Aamir Khan, Lootere, and Aatank Hi Aatank before transitioning into television hosting and writing. She is the mother of actress Alaya F, known for Jawaani Jaaneman and Freddy, and son Omar. In 2019, she got engaged to Maneck Contractor.
