Shibani Dandekar, an actress and model who married Bollywood star Farhan Akhtar in 2022, recently shared her experiences with severe online backlash stemming from her interfaith union. During an honest discussion on the podcast Chapter 2, Fresh Conversations and Empowerment hosted by actress Rhea Chakraborty, Shibani disclosed that she has faced persistent accusations of being a "gold digger" and engaging in "love jihad" on social media platforms.

Shibani spoke about the close examination of her marriage with Farhan saying that the negativity surrounding it doesn’t impact her. She emphasized the unfounded remarks made about their relationship often focusing on the difference in their backgrounds with Farhan hailing from a Muslim family and her being from a Hindu one. "People used to say these two things to me – ‘love jihad and gold-digger.’ What am I supposed to do with that? I’m not going to cry myself to sleep because of what people say."

Looking back on her own path Shibani opened up about how others belittle her professional life and uniqueness due to her connection with the Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara star. "I’ve had my own life and journey before I met Farhan, but trolls will say anything. They ask, ‘Who was she before marrying Farhan?’ It’s important for me to believe in my own journey and not let random people dictate my worth."

Shibani highlighted how important it is to distinguish between feedback that helps someone grow and negative remarks that aim to undermine a person. She added, "There’s a difference between what is true and what’s said just to hurt you. Understanding that difference is crucial."

Shibani shared tips for dealing with negativity on social media suggesting that individuals prioritize their mental health instead of expending effort to alter other people’s views on the platform. "It’s not up to us to figure out why people troll; it’s up to us to handle ourselves," she concluded.

Shibani and Farhan tied the knot in an intimate ceremony at the actors Khandala farmhouse back in February 2022 with their nearest friends and family by their side. Despite facing criticism regarding her marriage Shibani stands strong in her conviction that those remarks are not deserving of her time or focus.