Pooja Bedi, a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, has recently offered an insightful perspective on modern relationships, revealing that she and her long-term partner, Maneck Contractor, have no plans to formalise their union through marriage, despite being engaged for a remarkable eight years. This revelation sheds light on a shifting societal view of commitment, moving beyond traditional legal frameworks.
In a candid conversation, Pooja articulated her evolving understanding of relationships. She recounted a time when she embraced conventional notions of matrimony, but her personal experiences have since reshaped her outlook. “Today I’m in a relationship with Maneck, and I’ve been engaged for eight years. And people ask, ‘When are you getting married?’, very excitedly. And I say, I’m not getting married,” she stated, highlighting the common societal expectation that still surrounds long-term engagements.
For Pooja, the essence of marriage—commitment—is already embodied in their engagement. She eloquently explained, “Engagement is when a person puts a ring on your finger and says, ‘I want to be married to you.’ Which basically says, I want to spend the rest of my life with you by my side, as a companion, as your lover, as your husband, and as a father of your children. The commitment is enough. After the commitment is there, all you’re really doing is signing a piece of paper and getting the government involved in your affair.” This perspective challenges the notion that a legal document is the sole validator of a profound emotional bond.
Furthermore, the ‘Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar’ actress underscored the practical advantages of their chosen path, particularly concerning financial arrangements, a common point of contention in many relationships. Both Pooja and Maneck have children from previous marriages, and remaining unmarried simplifies the division of assets. “It is so much easier. I’ve been married, I’ve been divorced, and I have two children. He’s been married, he’s been divorced, and he has kids too. In terms of simple things, like in terms of your assets, it’s so simple,” she elaborated. This arrangement ensures that her assets will go to her children, and his to his, maintaining clarity and avoiding potential complexities that can arise from merging estates. She emphasized their financial independence, stating, “I’m earning, he’s earning, and we’re both independent. I don’t need him for security’s sake. He doesn’t need me for financial security.”
Initially, marriage was indeed part of their plans, but as they delved deeper into what marriage truly entails, they realised it did not align with their shared vision for life. “The intention was to get married, and the reality of what marriage actually looks like to us. It didn’t fit our vision for what we want in life, in terms of everything,” Pooja revealed. She also expressed a personal disinclination towards contractual relationships, having experienced them before. “I don’t want to be contracted to somebody. I’ve been there, done that. I believe everyone should be married. I think marriage is a wonderful space, and it’s just that I’ve been there, done that. I don’t see the need to do that.”
For Pooja, the strength of their relationship lies in conscious choice and mutual dedication, rather than a legal agreement. Their families are deeply intertwined, with her children loving Maneck and her loving his family. “So for me, we are as good as together forever,” she affirmed, highlighting that their bond transcends conventional definitions. Pooja and Maneck have shared a deeply committed relationship for many years, culminating in their engagement in 2019. Previously, Pooja was married to Farhan Furniturewala, with whom she has two children, Alaya F and Omar Furniturewalla, before their divorce in 2003. This nuanced view on relationships and commitment offers a compelling insight into evolving personal choices within the broader context of entertainment and celebrity life.
