Arshad Warsi gets candid about his interfaith romance story with wife Maria Goretti: ‘When I asked her, she denied on my face…’

“I spotted her and felt that she was a pretty girl and a good dancer. I told her that I do plays, and if you feel like doing it, it would be lovely to have you. But, she said no,” recalled the Jolly LLB 3 actor.

However, Goretti came to watch their play and soon became a background dancer in it. “When I was doing a play in Bandra, she visited, saw us performing, and loved it. She joined us and fell in love with me, but I didn’t. She never told me, but her body language said so. All my friends also used to say that she liked me. But when I asked her, she denied on my face,” he revealed.

However, one day, in a drunken stupor, Goretti confessed her feelings for Warsi. “We had a show in Dubai once, and I made this good Catholic girl drink beer. Within half a bottle, all her feelings came out. Then, we started going out and organically got married,” he narrated.

“We were very weird. She is a full-on, hardcore, good girl type. She goes to the church every morning, she was a good kid. I liked her because she was a good dancer, very pretty. When I look at her, she is absolutely good —beautiful. Her morals, her nature, taking care of her parents —everything about her was nice. Everything you want in a girl, she had it. The only thing was that she is crazy!” Warsi quipped at the end.

One day, in a drunken stupor, Goretti confessed her feelings for Warsi. (Source: Instagram/@mariagorettiz)

Navigating interfaith relationships

While interfaith marriages were never entirely free of challenges, the political and cultural climate today has heightened divisions. Rising polarisation, identity-based politics, and greater visibility through social media amplify scrutiny and criticism, said Sonal Khangarot, a licensed rehabilitation counsellor and psychotherapist, adding that what sustains a long marriage is companionship and shared life patterns.

“Passion may ignite a relationship, but it is the everyday friendship, mutual respect, and common interests that give it longevity. Shared interests create opportunities for bonding and joy, while friendship cushions conflicts and provides emotional safety,” she shared. And in the long run, these elements often prove more stabilising than love alone, which can fluctuate with time and circumstance.”

Khangarot said flexibility in defining roles and not pushing one’s traditions on another is another cornerstone of resilience. “Rigid expectations often lead to disappointment because people evolve over the years. Allowing space for individuality, renegotiating responsibilities, and avoiding restrictive labels reduces pressure on the relationship,” said the expert, adding that this adaptability fosters autonomy while maintaining closeness.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.