MUMBAI: The father of the groom told the popular news portal on Friday that there will be no religious ceremony for the slated marriage of well-known actress Sonakshi Sinha and actor Zaheer Iqbal Ratansi belonging to the close-knit Khoja Shia community. This put an end to the frantic speculation. "It will have neither Hindu nor Muslim rituals. It will be a civil marriage," he confirmed.

(Also read: Times when Sonakshi Sinha was spotted wearing nose ring)

The couple apparently gave the marriage registrar the required one-month notice following the Special Marriage Act, of 1954, and it appears that this will be the basis for the marriage. According to Ratansi, The June 23 wedding might take place at his Bandra home on Carter Road. The registrar can complete the legal formalities and present the marriage registration at a location chosen by the couple under the rules of the Special Marriage Act.

When questioned about the rumors that Sonakshi is being converted to Islam, Ratansi dismissed them. "She is not converting and that is for sure. Theirs is a union of hearts and religion has no role to play whatsoever," he added.

"I believe in humanity. God is called Bhagwan by Hindus and Allah by Muslims. But at the end of the day, we are all human beings. My blessings are with Zaheer and Sonakshi," he stated.

Sonakshi's parents, actor M.P. Shatrughan Sinha aka Shotgun, and Poonam, are reportedly happy with the marriage at this point.

Shatrughan Sinha had said a few days before that he was not aware of the planned marriage and that the only way he found out about it was through the media.

He noted that, in contrast to the past, parents no longer have any choice in the life partners that their children choose, and that instead, children just "tell" their parents about their wedding.

Along with Sonakshi, Zaheer, and other close family members, Shatrughan Singh and Poonam attended a pre-wedding celebration on Thursday. Sonakshi is well-known for her big movies and awards, but Zaheer, whose father works as a financier and jeweler, has yet to establish himself in Bollywood. He acted in three more films after making his feature film debut in 2019's 'Notebook.'

(Also read: Sonakshi Sinha’s humorous response on marriage on the stage of The Great Indian Kapil Show, ‘You are adding insult to injury’)

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CREDIT:  Free Press Journal