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Farhan Akhtar-Shibani Dandekar say they aren’t religious, ‘believe in karma and nothing else’: ‘Religion can be dangerous when…’

Farhan Akhtar and Shibani Dandekar shed light on how their family embraces different faiths, creating what she describes as a "melting pot" of religions where they celebrate every festival together.

Farhan Akhtar and Shibani Dandekar shared their view of religion. (Photo: Instagram/shibaniakhtar)

Farhan Akhtar and his wife, Shibani Dandekar, recently opened up about their views on religion, emphasizing that although they aren’t religious, they firmly believe in karma and in the principle of being good and doing good for others. Shibani also shed light on how their family embraces different faiths, creating what she describes as a “melting pot” of religions where they celebrate every festival together.

Discussing his personal beliefs, Farhan told Rhea Chakraborty on her podcast Chapter 2, “I don’t believe that there is one supernatural entity that is governing everything. But I do believe that is definitely something that connects us all. You can call it energy or a spiritual sense of collective belonging, consciousness…I believe in that. I don’t think there is this one thing that masterminded this whole thing and tells you what is good or bad or will punish you or give you gifts if you had led a good life. I believe in karma and nothing beyond that.”

Shibani added, “I agree with Farhan. I think religion can be something beautiful when it is bringing people together but it can be as dangerous when it is dividing and that has always been a huge question mark for me. I think it’s about being there for each other and not dividing people even further. It needs to be something that is a uniting force rather the one that divides.”

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Sharing insights into how their family approaches religion, Shibani elaborated, “For me believing in anything…and I am not religious…is about being there for somebody and helping somebody, coming together. In our family we celebrate Eid, we get together for Christmas, we celebrate Diwali. Just at home we have Catholics, Muslims, Hindus, it’s like melting pot and there is so much love and appreciation.”

Also read | Karan Johar says no one will allow Shah Rukh Khan to play ‘mellow characters,’ calls Aamir Khan ‘the real game changer’

Shibani and Farhan tied the knot in 2022, following three years of dating. Before Shibani, Farhan was married to Adhuna Bhabani, with whom he shares two daughters, Akira and Shakya.

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