‘Not just the industry, the world is full of a*****’: Farah Khan opens up about being the more successful partner; how unequal recognition can strain relationships

Farah admitted that being the more successful one in the relationship sometimes made social situations uncomfortable for Shirish. “Not just the industry, the world is full of a*****, so they will always hone in on the person who is more successful at that point, so they will only talk to me and ignore my husband, and I didn’t like that, and he didn’t either. So after a point, we came to an agreement that if you are uncomfortable coming out with this set of people, then don’t come. I want him to be happy and at peace,” she shared.

She also explained why the couple prefers to keep their relationship private and away from public scrutiny. “We know we are secure in our marriage, and we don’t need to hold hands on the red carpet. Sometimes, I feel that the more people are holding hands on the red carpet, something is brewing.”

So, when one partner achieves more public or professional recognition than the other, what kind of emotional or psychological challenges can this create in a relationship?

Sonal Khangarot, licensed rehabilitation counsellor and psychotherapist, The Answer Room, told indianexpress.com, “When one partner gains more public or professional recognition, it can unintentionally create emotional distance in a relationship. The partner in the spotlight might struggle with guilt or pressure to stay humble, while the one feeling sidelined may quietly battle insecurity or resentment. These emotions often stem from deeper fears of inadequacy or being left behind.” 

Keeping a relationship private allows partners to nurture intimacy away from social scrutiny, protecting them from external judgments or comparisons. (Source: Freepik)

She adds that the healthiest relationships “acknowledge these undercurrents rather than suppress them, through open communication, reassurance, and celebrating each other’s growth.” When both partners see success as collective rather than comparative, recognition strengthens rather than strains the bond.

How can couples maintain mutual respect and emotional balance in such situations?

When social attention tilts toward one partner, Khangarot notes that it can quietly bruise the other’s sense of visibility and belonging. In such moments, mutual respect becomes less about words and more about mindful gestures. The partner receiving more recognition can consciously include and acknowledge the other in conversations. Meanwhile, the partner feeling overlooked can express their discomfort without shame or blame, allowing vulnerability to become a bridge rather than a barrier. 

How privacy and personal boundaries can strengthen or sometimes strain a relationship

Khangarot notes, “Keeping a relationship private allows partners to nurture intimacy away from social scrutiny, protecting them from external judgments or comparisons. However, privacy can turn into emotional distance if it becomes a way to avoid vulnerability or public acknowledgement. The difference lies in intention: when couples, like Farah and Shirish, choose privacy out of confidence and mutual respect, it reinforces stability and self-assurance. But when it’s rooted in fear or shame, it may signal unresolved issues.”

The healthiest dynamic lies in balance — sharing enough to feel seen and connected, yet preserving the sacred space where love can simply be personal, not performative.

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