Pooja Bedi opens up on quitting films after marrying into conservative Muslim family

Actor Pooja Bedi recently spoke candidly about her decision to step away from films following her marriage to Farhan Furniturewala, citing cultural differences and family expectations as key reasons.

In an interview with Siddharth Kannan, Bedi explained that Farhan came from a conservative Muslim family that could not accept a daughter-in-law actively working in films. “In those days, there was a lot of gossip in the film industry. Every time a film released, they tried to link you up with the heroes, all that drama would go on. I don’t think there was any way they were going to accept a bahu of the house who was still working in films,” she said.

She added that at the time, married women were generally expected to quit acting. “Today, you can be married and still be in films. You could have kids and still be welcome to play the heroine. Cinema has evolved, and audiences have evolved a lot as well,” Bedi noted.

The actor revealed that she returned signing amounts for several films, including a lucrative Kamasutra ad campaign, in order to fully embrace her new life. “I thought about it, and I was like, ‘If I’m going to do something, I want to do it well and with full respect. I don’t want to make people in the family uncomfortable,’” she said.

Reflecting on their relationship, Bedi described it as respectful and amicable. “We have two beautiful children, and we are best friends today. I love his current wife, Laila,” she said.

Pooja Bedi and Farhan Furniturewala married in 1994, welcomed daughter Alaya F in 1997 and son Omar, and divorced in 2003 after nearly a decade together.