MUMBAI: Zeenat Aman recently made a statement where she advised people that they should be in a live-in relationship first before tying the knot with their partners. She feels that doing this will give them a better picture of how compatible they are and whether they will be able to spend their lives together or not. She even shared that she gave the same advice to her sons.
 
We asked a few celebrities about their opinions on the same, and here’s what they had to say:
 
Simple Kaul:

Of course, that’s what everyone should do. I advocate that. You only get to know a person fully when you start living with them. You know what you are getting into once you share your space with them.
 
Ankit Bathla:

Honestly, the family that I belong to would have been quite the talk of the town today. After being exposed to so many people and relationships, and myself having a couple of failed relationships, I feel it's really not bad to move in together, figure out, and understand each other better. The other option is that one should give enough time to get to know each other. I also believe that no time is ever enough to know somebody, but yes, I think living together is a good option to figure out if people are actually compatible, rather than spending a life together in a toxic relationship or always feeling that you could have saved yourself from the toxicity. So, this is a better option for me.
 
Sara Khan:

I completely agree with what she says, as it’s important to know the person’s routine, lifestyle, and nature before you decide to get together. You must if he snores, jokes apart (laughs). Many times, you realize that your choice wasn’t right, and you get divorced. So to save yourself from that dramatic situation, one must know the person and accept all the bad along with the good, as you need to love all the flaws along with the best that they have to offer. Every human is good and bad, and it depends only if you know how to adjust.
 
Shivangi Verma:

Absolutely, I completely agree. Knowing your partner, even just a bit, before getting married is important for a long and healthy married life. It's important to understand their strengths and weaknesses, both the positive and negative aspects. This understanding lays a strong foundation for a successful relationship. I totally agree with this. It's unfortunate that our society tends to be quite judgmental about couples living together. I don't see why it's such a taboo. Personally, I don't see anything wrong with a live-in relationship. In fact, I believe it could actually reduce the chances of divorces because it allows couples to learn and understand each other better before getting married. It's a way for them to strengthen and build a healthier relationship.
 
Namita Lal:

I am a huge fan of Zeenat Aman, and I am also a huge fan of her stature, her thought process, the way she articulates, the roles she has played, and her take on relationships and living life. Her recent post on couples living together resonates with me. I totally agree with her. I believe that marriage is a commitment and should be entered into when both parties are completely sure, with clear reasons for doing so. Living together provides an opportunity to assess how the other person likes to live. While I still find marriage beautiful and romantic, I think it's tougher than living together, but at least you have some sense of it. More and more, as women become financially independent, this is becoming accepted, whether in metros or small towns. Legal frameworks around it exist in most countries now. I totally subscribe to that, and kudos to Zeenat Aman for expressing her opinion. I am in total agreement with her.
 
Charrul Malik:

Times have changed a lot, and there are more divorces and separations happening nowadays. I don't have a problem agreeing with what Zeenatji said. She's known for her strong statements, but there's nothing wrong with that. If you separate and ruin each other's lives, problems arise later, leading to depression, suicide, domestic violence, police complaints, and court battles. This is a much better way to avoid those issues. Although many people might say it goes against Indian culture, we need to change with the times. Many people already live together without declaring it publicly. They keep it personal, not telling friends or family, but there's a fine line between truth and lies. If we speak the truth, many are likely living together without telling their parents, so it's not as public or on record as one might think. There are benefits to being vocal about it. Even in court, living together can grant you equal rights. I don't see any problem with it; in fact, it's a solution to many problems people face later on. Zeenatji made a good point, and I agree with it. Those who are willing can definitely consider it, and those who feel it goes against Indian culture can choose not to do it. It's up to each individual how they perceive it, but I think it should be seen positively, and we should be vocal about it.

Megha Sharma:

You're absolutely right! Living together before marriage is a great idea because it helps you understand if you can adjust with each other's habits and preferences. You're two different people with different likes and dislikes, such as cleanliness habits. Small differences like these can lead to conflicts in a relationship, which are often about small things rather than big issues. To avoid these clashes, living together and sorting things out beforehand is much better. Nowadays, divorce rates are increasing, and it's essential to know your partner well before committing for a lifetime. It's important to prioritize our mental peace over societal norms, as ultimately, our happiness matters the most. Families might have their opinions, but the decision to marry or live together should be solely ours, considering compatibility is important.  So, yes, the idea of living together before marriage is completely valid and important for a successful relationship.