When in-laws mess around

You know what they say, all is well in tinsel town — but for the tangled relationships. Not just celebrity couples, but in recent times the people dragged into ‘the issue’ are the ‘in-laws.’ With Ash-Abhi holidaying in Dubai for some personal time and news surrounding the fact that, Ash might move out of the Bachchan household, the year 2013 had celebrity splits in the limelight. The Hrithik-Sussanne split they say, also began with an initial rift between the in-laws, then Sussanne  moved out and finally a divorce was on the table.

While celebs are portrayed as people who fail to make marriages work, as they have no time for family, many say it is also their celebrity status that makes fodder for the rumour mill. The lives of celebrities is under constant scrutiny and  divorces are blown out of proportions. Author Fahad Samar, who has been a part of B-town, says that, these issues are quite sensitive. He adds, “Of course, they are celebrities but more than that, they are people and everyone should show some restrain.” Ask him whether the larger than life status of these couples overshadow the role of in-laws and he explains, “I do not think people will feel insecure about their roles and if they know their stand in any situation, they will be comfortable. We cannot presume what goes on in a family.” While many suffer rifts and are put under the scanner, some manage things effortlessly. Actress Khushboo, who is known to essay the role of a daughter-in-law with ease, says that it is just like any other relationship. She fondly calls her mother-in-law ‘ma’ and states, “At home, I am a wife, a mother and a daughter-in-law, my celebrity status ends at the gate. I do have my share of fights and arguments with my ‘ma’, but I resolve them amicably, without any airs.”

Psychologist Veena Chakravarthy says, “These days it is quite common to go to court for almost every issue. But I do not think a couple’s separation can be attributed to their in-laws or problems with their independence. Celebrity parents are aware of their child’s stardom, more than anyone else.” She explains that marriage is more about a couple than anyone else, “If it (marriage) breaks, it has to be mainly because of the couple. How the couple decides to resolve any situation determines the outcome.”