Archive · 7 Nov 2025
Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan on Marriage and Family Life
Imagine a famous couple from India, Aishwarya and Abhishek, who went on a TV show to talk about marriage.
They said they believe marriage is forever and don't even think about breaking up.
This is like many people in India who see marriage as a very strong promise that lasts a lifetime.
They also talked about living with family, which is common in India and can be nice because there's always help and love around.
But sometimes, living with many family members can make it tricky for a couple to have their own quiet space and make their own decisions, especially when they are first married.
A psychologist explained that while believing marriage is forever can be good for feeling safe, sometimes it's hard to talk about problems because people might think struggling means failing.
She said it's important for couples to be able to talk openly, adapt to changes, and still be themselves even when they are close to their families.
Finding a balance between old traditions and wanting to grow as individuals is key.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, discussing their views on marriage and family.
They expressed a strong belief in the permanence of marriage, stating they do not consider divorce.
The conversation touched upon the tradition of living in joint families in India and its impact on couples.
Psychologist Sakshi Mandhyan commented on how the lifelong commitment ideal can offer stability but also lead to rigid coping mechanisms.
Mandhyan also noted that joint families can provide support but may complicate a couple's need for personal space and individuality.
- Who
- Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, and psychologist Sakshi Mandhyan
- What
- Discussed Indian perspectives on marriage as a lifelong commitment and the dynamics of living in joint families, with expert commentary on the psychological implications of these cultural norms.
- When
- During an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show and in commentary provided to indianexpress.com.
- Where
- The Oprah Winfrey Show (US TV broadcast) and commentary via indianexpress.com.
- Why
- To highlight how cultural beliefs about marriage and family influence relationships and to explore the psychological impact of these traditions.
Cultural Perspective
Psychological Perspective
Perception of Marriage
Cultural Perspective
Marriage is viewed as a lifelong, non-negotiable commitment, fostering emotional stability and a sense of belonging.
Psychological Perspective
While commitment provides stability, an overemphasis on permanence can lead to cognitive rigidity, poor coping, denial of reality, and emotional suppression.
Joint Family Living
Cultural Perspective
Joint families offer comfort, emotional safety, shared support, and a strong sense of belonging.
Psychological Perspective
Joint families can complicate marital dynamics, especially in early stages, due to overlapping expectations from different generations and challenges in defining personal space.
Navigating Conflict
Cultural Perspective
The idea of lifelong marriage encourages perseverance and discourages entertaining thoughts of divorce.
Psychological Perspective
Healthy commitment requires psychological flexibility, open communication, and the ability to adapt and repair after disagreements, rather than defensiveness or suppression.
- Couple
- Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan
- Event
- Appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show
- Cultural Concept 1
- Permanence of Marriage
- Cultural Concept 2
- Joint Family Tradition
- Psychological Concept 1
- Psychological Flexibility
- Psychological Concept 2
- Differentiation
- Expert
- Sakshi Mandhyan (Psychologist)
Sources
‘I miss them as much as they miss me’: Ajith Kumar on pursuing racing while being away from his children and the importance of his wife’s support; expert on creating balance
