Bollywood actor Arshad Warsi recently shared a heartfelt account of how his interfaith marriage with wife Maria Goretti was initially met with concern from her Catholic parents, but gradually transformed into a bond built on trust, respect and affection.
In a conversation with Lallantop, Arshad candidly spoke about the early nervousness his in-laws felt when he decided to marry Maria. He explained that they were anxious about the union of a Catholic girl and a Muslim man, especially because they had imagined a more conventional future for their daughter — marrying a Catholic man with a stable 9-to-5 job. At the time, Arshad admitted, he was jobless, which only added to their worries.
Despite their hesitation, Arshad said his in-laws were kind and deeply religious people who valued goodness above all else. Over time, they began to see his sincerity and believed that he would take good care of Maria. What started as doubt slowly turned into confidence, and eventually, complete acceptance.
The actor revealed that today, his relationship with his in-laws is extremely warm. They even live with him in the same house, though their sense of self-respect often makes them want to maintain a separate space. Arshad shared that as a family, they found ways to ensure everyone stayed together happily.
Talking about their love story, Arshad recalled meeting Maria at Xavier’s College, where he had gone to judge a competition. Their friendship began when Maria started working with him in theatre plays, which gradually blossomed into love. Arshad humorously revealed that Maria rejected him several times before finally agreeing to marry him.
Arshad Warsi and Maria Goretti tied the knot in 1996 and are now proud parents to two children — son Zeke Warsi and daughter Zene Warsi. Their journey stands as a testament to how understanding and humanity can bridge differences and strengthen family bonds.