Shibani Akhtar, model-turned-actress and wife of actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, recently opened up about the couple’s decision to pursue therapy both before and after their marriage. In a candid conversation on Rhea Chakraborty’s podcast, Chapter 2, Shibani revealed that they began couple therapy shortly after they started dating, and continued it even after tying the knot in 2022.
During the podcast, Shibani recounted a memorable moment from their first therapy session after getting married. “We got married on a Monday. Our signing was on a Monday, and our next scheduled appointment was on a Wednesday. I remember we walked in, and our therapist was like, ‘Why are you guys here? You just got married like 24 hours ago,’” Shibani shared, laughing at the therapist’s surprise.
The actress also discussed how the couple had started therapy during their courtship period, explaining that they believe in constantly working on their relationship. “It’s like going to the gym—you have to keep working on it,” Shibani noted, highlighting the effort they both put into nurturing their bond.
Reflecting on their therapy sessions, Shibani admitted that there were times when they didn’t have anything significant to talk about. “Sometimes we would sit there looking at each other with nothing to say, and other times, we needed more than an hour to address our issues,” she said.
Shibani emphasised that couple therapy has had a positive effect on their relationship, particularly in resolving arguments. While Shibani prefers to address issues as soon as they arise, Farhan prefers to wait until their therapy sessions to discuss them. Despite this difference, Shibani believes therapy has helped them better understand each other’s perspectives and resolve conflicts in a healthy way.
In the same podcast, Farhan Akhtar also reflected on his relationship with his daughters, Shakya and Akira, and how they dealt with his divorce from his first wife, Adhuna Bhabani. He admitted to feeling “tremendously guilty” about the impact it had on them.
On the professional front, Farhan Akhtar is gearing up for several projects, including 120 Bahadur, in which he will portray PVC Major Shaitan Singh. He is also set to direct Don 3, starring Ranveer Singh, and is working on Jee Le Zara with Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt, and Katrina Kaif.
