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Rediff.com  » Movies » Bachchans, SRK-Gauri: The Longest Marriages in Bollywood
This article was first published 10 years ago

Bachchans, SRK-Gauri: The Longest Marriages in Bollywood

Last updated on: June 03, 2014 19:24 IST

Image: Jaya and Amitabh Bachchan
Photographs: Pradeep Bandekar

Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan celebrate their 41st wedding anniversary today.

As much as most of us would like to believe it, marriages aren't made in heaven.

They're made with love, patience and effort, right here on earth, after two individuals decide to spend the rest of their lives in each other's company "for better or for worse."

And if this union happens to be between a Bollywood star/s the greater the stress, be it an insanely hectic lifestyle, constant invasion of one's privacy, relentless media scrutiny or close proximity to co-stars.

At a time when marital splits are widespread, there are still quite a few Bollywood marriages that continue to stay rock solid.

One of them happens to be Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan who celebrate their 41st wedding anniversary today, June 3.

The duo starred opposite each other in cherished films like Zanjeer, Abhimaan, Mili, Sholay and Chupke Chupke and weathered several ups and downs together to become the role model jodi for their kids -- Abhishek and Shweta.

On that bright note, here's a look at film industry's other celebrity couples happily married for over two decades.

Please click NEXT for more.

Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan

Image: Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan
Photographs: Victor Fraile/Getty Images

Got married in: 1991

The power couple of Bollywood with three kids -- Aryan, Suhana and AbRam first met while Gauri was just a teenager at a common friend's party and hit it off immediately.

SRK wooed her till she relented and the charming couple married after her hesitant parents (owing to different religion) agreed to the match.

It's been more than two decades since and the 'It' couple continues to be the cynosure of all eyes.

Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu

Image: Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu

Got married in: 1966

Many doubted the success of Dilip Kumar's marriage to his twenty years younger Gopi co-star Saira Banu.

Their suspicions were put to rest when the latter's doting affection and unconditional support for her superstar 'Saheb' persevered even through trying phases of their marriage.

Rishi and Neetu Kapoor

Image: Rishi and Neetu Kapoor

Got married in: 1980

One of Bollywood's most beloved jodis on screen and off it, Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh laid eyes on each other during the making of Zehreela Insaan.

Sparks just flew and before they knew it, the leading pair of Khel Khel Mein, Kabhi Kabhie and Amar Akbar Anthony was inseparable.

After three decades of togetherness, two children (Ranbir, Riddhima) and a return -- both great (Do Dooni Chaar) and ghastly (Besharam), the Ek Main Ek Tu stars are still stuff 'made for each others' are made of.

Shatrughan and Poonam Sinha

Image: Shatrughan and Poonam Sinha

Got married in: 1980

Shatrughan and Poonam Sinha found the perfect companion in each other on the sets of a movie.

After marriage, she gave up her acting ambitions to play ideal wife to the firebrand hero turned committed politician and raise their three children -- Luv, Kush and Sonakshi.

Jeetendra and Shobha Kapoor

Image: Jeetendra and Shobha Kapoor
Photographs: Pradeep Bandekar

Got married in: 1974

Jeetendra promised his airhostess girlfriend Shobha if his film Bidaai turned out to be a success, he would marry her the same day.

As luck would have it, Bidaai did well and true to his word, Jeetu tied the knot with Shobha on that very day.

Now proud parents to their illustrious kids -- Ekta Kapoor and Tusshar, the 72-year-old actor and his supportive wife couldn't have asked for things to get any better.

Anil and Sunita Kapoor

Image: Anil and Sunita Kapoor
Photographs: Abhijit Mhamunkar

Got married in: 1984

From talking on phone to meeting in person, Anil and Sunita Kapoor's chemistry was an instant hit.

A few years of courtship later, the two got married and are parents to three children -- Sonam, Rhea and Harshwardhan.

Despite the strains of limelight, the Tezaab star and his jewelry designer wife are regarded as one of the most stable, controversy-free marriages in Bollywood.

Jackie and Ayesha Shroff

Image: Jackie and Ayesha Shroff with son Tiger
Photographs: Pradeep Bandekar

Got married in: 1987

Jackie Shroff made things official with model/actress childhood sweetheart Ayesha after seven years of dating in 1987.

Their marriage was rumoured to be in trouble after Ayesha Shroff's home production, Boom ran into severe financial issues.

But the couple, whose son Tiger just made his entry into films with the super hit Heropanti, deny any rift.

Sunil and Mana Shetty

Image: Sunil and Mana Shetty
Photographs: Pradeep Bandekar

Got married in: 1991

His Hindu, her Muslim status was never an obstacle for the Mohra muscleman and his soft-spoken wife, who have been  blissfully together for over two decades now.

Sunil and Mana Shetty's 21-year old daughter Athiya is all set to make her debut as leading lady in Nikhil Advani's Hero opposite Sooraj Pancholi.

Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi

Image: Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi

Got married in: 1984

Their combined love for poetry, politics and philanthropy brought Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar nearer.

But the writer turned lyricist's marriage to child star turned scriptwriter Honey Irani posed complications for their union.

Despite the unpleasant route to their wedding (he filed for divorce) the cerebral couple's graceful conduct set a dazzling example among one of Bollywood’s most long lasting romances.