V-Day: Celeb couples who made it against the odds!

It's never easy to make your relationship work when your private life is under relentless media scrutiny. But these celebrity couples have stuck things out together despite trying circumstances.

Rumours of make-ups, break-ups, pregnancies and affairs go with the territory when you're a famous personality.

Your private life, as hard as you try to keep it under wraps, is of acute interest to the world and every move you make sometimes sets off a frenzy of flashbulbs.

It's not surprising, then, that very few celeb relationships are rock solid and manage to go the distance.

With Valentine's Day coming up tomorrow, we bring you a few couples who overcame sizeable odds to come together and more importantly, stay together.

Genelia D'Souza and Riteish Deshmukh

In a recent interview, shortly before they wed last week, Genelia was quoted as saying that she and Riteish were "lucky to last" as a couple.

While she didn't elaborate upon her statement, it's easy to understand what the young actress was talking about. These two lovebirds have been together for years, but never went public about their relationship, which definitely must have had its share of ups and downs.

For one, both are in the entertainment industry and are living their lives out in the limelight. Then there's the caste difference -- Riteish is a Maharashtrian and Genelia a Mangalorean Catholic. And the fact that Riteish is from a political background must have complicated things considerably -- it is not known whether the Deshmukhs welcomed Genelia with open arms from Day One or came around over the years, reconciling themselves to an actress bahu from a different community.

Next we have one of the most intensely scrutinised couples on the planet -- and it's safe to say they've had to endure a regular circus in the seven years they've been together.

To start off with, Angie is still deemed a homewrecker by fans of Pitt's ex-wife Jennifer Aniston -- despite her strong denial of these accusations, it looks like the Jolie-Pitts will never be able to shake Aniston's shadow and the same goes for the Friends star. It's a story the tabloids are still getting mileage out of nearly a decade on.

Then there's the endless speculation about their adding to their brood of children (they're parents to six kids already, three biological and three adopted). And if Angie and Brad aren't having more children, they're either on the verge of a break-up or marriage. Of course, fights with the in-laws and references to Jolie's bisexuality are also brought up every few months. Lesbian flings, drunken fights, nervous breakdowns, secret communications between Brad and his ex-wife...The latest rumour doing the rounds is that Angelina is pregnant again, with twin boys. Sighhhh....

Let's just say it's amazing these two have managed to make things work in spite of it all!

Our desi answer to Brangelina, Saifeena (sorry, we know how they hate that moniker!) are one of the most intriguing couples when it comes to B-Town.

Bebo was dating chocolate boy Shahid for a long time and had even declared she would marry him, so it came as a shock when the two called off their relationship in 2007 and the actress was seen on Saif Ali Khan's arm within a couple of months.

Despite rumours of Kareena having dumped Shahid for Saif, of her beingcareer-minded, manipulative and catty, of her not getting along with her beau's children and Saif's reputation as a Casanova, the two have made things work. Once, a news channel at a press conference even went so far as to shoot a private SMS argument the actress was having with Saif over her shoulder and aired it, much to her embarrassment.

But all things said and done, the two are going strong and a trip down the altar is on the cards this year, if reports are to be believed.

They've been married 13 years, but the strain of huge stardom, success and celebrity friend circles looks like it's taking a toll on the Smiths for sure.

Apart from caring for their children and a step-son from a previous marriage, having to juggle their own careers, their childrens' careers and keeping their relationship on track, the two have been the subject of numerous rumours in the past one year.

For one, it was alleged in August of 2011 that Jada was having an affair with her co-star Marc Anthony and that this was why his wife Jennifer Lopez had left him. Then there was a story that Will walked in on his wife and Marc and fired his household staff for their complicity. Denials were issued all around, but the whispers of a rift refused to go away despite the couple's statements to the contrary and show of unity.

Then it was rumoured that Will and Jada had been separated for some time, but were together only for the sake of their kids. The most recent allegation is that they are having disagreements over their childrens' careers and are living thousands of miles apart.

Despite all the speculation, the Smiths seem to be sticking things out like they always have -- together.

A lot of couples go through a rough patch early on in their relationship, or shortly after the birth of a child as there are adjustments to be made and a new way of life takes getting used to. But if you're part of a famous twosome, be prepared to watch the drama unfold all over the news.

Lolo quit Bollywood at the peak of her career to settle into domestic matrimony with businessman Sanjay in Delhi. The two had teething troubles early on -- there were rumours of the actress wanting to relocate to Mumbai, that Sanjay had a roving eye and that they were unhappy together.

Shortly after the birth of their first child Samaira, Karisma and Sanjay filed for legal separation. But shortly after, they reconciled and went on to iron out their differences, even having a second child, son Kiaan. And as a sort of compromise, the two live between Delhi and Mumbai, shuttling back and forth.

Unfortunately, the rumblings regarding an impending divorce refuse to go away. The Kapurs have issued strong denials and are braving all that comes their way as best they can, but it can't be easy on them. Besides that, the press never tires of bringing up Karisma's broken engagement to Abhishek Bachchan every so often.

They started dating in April 2005, had their first child exactly a year later and married in November of 2006. And in their seven years together, TomKat have had to dodge as many bullets as Brangelina.

For one, the age difference is still played upon -- there's 16 years between the Mission Impossible star and his lovely young wife. Then there's the speculation that Tom is a fanatic about his religion, Scientology, that he dominates and bullies Katie, calls the shots regarding her career and that she's 'trapped' in the marriage. And of course, there has been speculation regarding Tom's sexuality forever, despite the fact that he's been hitched twice before.

When Katie conceived, there were rumours that the child was not biologically Cruise's (rumours that were put to rest when her first photographs proved that she was the spitting image of her father). There were also whispers that the actress was 'forced' to undergo a 'silent' birth as per the practice of Scientologists, where everyone, including the mother, is to maintain silence during the birthing process.

While the two and daughter Suri make for a happy image of domestic bliss, the rest of the world can't seem to digest the fact that they're normal -- even their five-year-old's wardrobe makes the headlines.

These two have never admitted their relationship, although it's common knowledge that they've been together for years now.

The reticent filmmaker is believed to have left his childhood sweetheart and first wife Payal for Rani after a passionate affair. While his parents Yash and Pamela initially supported Payal, they ultimately came around and have accepted Rani into the Chopra fold. In fact, it is only lately, after this development, that the two lovebirds have allowed themselves to be photographed together.

However, it is believed that Adi's divorce proceedings are creating a hitch in their trip up the altar and the ex is demanding a hefty alimony.

Whatever the truth of the matter is, it's safe to say that Rani and Aditya have gone to great lengths to protect and preserve their relationship against staggering odds. They've never furnished sufficient proof of their status as a couple -- ever!

In a country where marriages sometimes last only hours, the Clintons have weathered the worst storms to stick things out together.

The former First Lady was subjected to international embarrassment and humiliation when it emerged that former President Bill Clinton had extramarital liaisons in the White House and was accused by several women of sexual misconduct during his second term in office. He was impeached by the House of Representatives as a result and the charges against him were no longer deniable.

The image of their 'perfect' marriage was shattered and despite being judged harshly for it, Hillary stood by her husband and decided to make things work. While some claim she did it only to further her own political ambition (Hillary was Senator OF New York for eight years, First Lady of the US for another eight, a leading candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008 and now United States Secretary of State), there's no denying it -- the Clintons defeated the odds to keep together.

When the Dream Girl married Dharmendra in 1980, it was because their sizzling on-screen chemistry led to a passionate off-screen liaison.

But it wasn't exactly a match made in heaven. The fact that the actor was already married with children created a lot of controversy and Hema was branded a homewrecker for sinking her talons into a family man. When Dharmendra's wife Prakash Kaur made it clear that she wasn't going to grant him a divorce, it is believed that the lovers converted to Islam to get this second union recognised.

Hema went on to bear two daughters, Esha and Ahana. While Dharmendra still maintains relations with both his wives and all his six children, it can't have been easy to have spent more than 30 years in such circumstances.

These two are soulmates, even if there's a 25-year age gap between them! In fact, the Welsh beauty and her veteran actor husband share a birthday.

They've been married for 11 years and have two children together and as for those who didn't think they'd go the distance in tinseltown, where marriages rarely last, well, they have!

In recent times, Catherine and Michael have weathered his elder son's (from a previous marriage) incarceration for drug offences, the 67-year-old's battle with throat cancer and Catherine's own battle against bipolar disorder. But as she once declared in an interview, she "doesn't believe in divorce" and that's that -- they're in it for the long haul!

If only more people had the same attitude towards marriage...

When a former B-grade actress and divorcee starts dating one of the biggest stars in the country, tongues are bound to start wagging.

Manyata's relationship with twice-married Sanju was at first perceived as a passing phase. Then, when things started getting serious and they married, she had to contend with the disapproval of the Dutt clan and disparaging fans. She was accused of manipulating the actor because she wanted to latch onto his money and fame. It was also alleged that she ruled his life and taking control in every aspect, from his finances to the selection of movies to work in.

But Manyata never struck back at criticism or people's judgement of her, except to defend her husband. When Sanju's family finally extended the olive branch, she was delighted to be accepted into the fold and today has a reputation as a doting mother, wife and gracious hostess. And yes, Sanjay stuck by her through it all, never wavering in his commitment.

And finally, we come to one of veeeery few international A-listers who have managed to keep it together for nearly 13 years -- that's forever in Hollywood time!

The Beckhams certainly seem to have kept things together through hard work and compromise. Victoria has dutifully moved countries to keep her family together, being a good mother, settling in their brood of children wherever David's football commitments have taken him, from London to Madrid to Los Angeles.

For his part, David has been supportive of the erstwhile Posh Spice's new and successful foray into designing, handling domestic duties while his wife gives her all to her fashion empire.

And yes, they've weathered rumours of infidelity too -- accusations of cheating, affairs, the usual celeb hoo-ha. But the Beckhams seem made of sterner stuff. Looks like they're in it for keeps!