On her 39th birthday, Dipika Kakar, known for her roles on television and as the winner of Bigg Boss 12, reflects on a life that has been anything but ordinary. Her story, reminiscent of a dramatic series, involves love, divorce, a change of faith, and new beginnings. She has faced life’s challenges with courage, and today, she embraces her roles as an actress, a wife, and a mother.
Dipika was previously married to Raunak Samson, who worked as a pilot. They married in 2008, but their marriage ended in divorce in 2011. This period proved challenging for her, as she began her acting career while also dealing with personal upheaval. Several theories emerged regarding the divorce, including claims about her relationship with Shoaib Ibrahim, which she denied.
In an interview, she discussed the challenges of the divorce, acknowledging that not all love marriages are successful due to compatibility issues. She spoke of the pain of ending a relationship and highlighted the support she received from her parents and Shoaib Ibrahim during that difficult time. She has expressed a desire to leave that phase of her life behind.
After her divorce, Dipika concentrated on her career. In 2011, she was cast as ‘Simar’ in ‘Sasural Simar Ka,’ a role that instantly made her a household name. She met Shoaib Ibrahim on the set of the show, where he portrayed her on-screen husband, ‘Prem.’ Their friendship evolved into romance, but they kept their relationship secret for years before going public in 2017.
Dipika and Shoaib’s relationship often made headlines due to their different religions. Dipika chose to convert to Islam and marry Shoaib in 2018, adopting the name ‘Faiza.’ This choice sparked criticism and ‘love jihad’ accusations on social media, which the couple disregarded.
After her marriage, Dipika spoke openly about her religious conversion, stating that it was a personal decision, and she was happy and proud of her choice. She stressed that her family supported her and that she had no intention of offending anyone.
Dipika has also experienced trolling about her personal and professional life. After marrying, she participated in ‘Bigg Boss 12’ and won, which some critics attributed to favoritism. Even after taking a break from acting to focus on family, she was trolled for being a ‘servant’ to her in-laws. Dipika and Shoaib addressed the trolls in a vlog.
Dipika defended her relationship with her in-laws, stating that if girls can view their in-laws as their parents, she should also be treated with respect and love by them. She also said that she is treated like a daughter by her in-laws, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law. She also questioned whether someone would not provide their father-in-law with their bed if he were returning from the hospital.
She has faced continued criticism even after becoming a mother. She was accused of abandoning her daughter from her first marriage while expecting her son Ruhaan. She found the accusations distressing, especially during her pregnancy. She asked why people would make such claims about her son’s arrival, as there was no truth to them.
