In a refreshingly honest conversation, celebrated fashion designer Masaba Gupta and ace tennis player Sania Mirza have addressed the persistent social stigma surrounding divorce, especially for women in India. The discussion took place on Sania Mirza's podcast, 'Serving It Up With Sania', where both public figures drew from their personal experiences to challenge societal judgment.
Breaking the Silence on the 'D Word'
Masaba Gupta, known for her bold fashion choices and candid personality, revealed her bewilderment at the intense reaction her divorce elicited. She was 28 years old when her marriage to filmmaker Madhu Mantena ended amicably in 2019. "When I got divorced, I was like, 'What? What’s the big deal? I’m making a life choice'," Masaba shared on the podcast. She emphasized that external parties often amplify the significance of such a personal decision far beyond what it represents for the individuals involved.
Sania Mirza, who herself faced public scrutiny following her separation from Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, echoed the sentiment. She highlighted a common, regressive perception in the region. "In this part of the world, people think the ‘D word’ is something dangerous. They think you were not focusing on your home, because you were busy out in the world trying to achieve something," Sania stated. For the unversed, news of Sania and Shoaib's divorce became public in early 2024, around the time Shoaib married Pakistani TV actress Sana Javed.
Divorce as a Lifesaver, Not a Failure
Moving beyond the stigma, Masaba reframed the narrative around separation, presenting it as a difficult but sometimes necessary step for self-preservation. "People think, 'Something’s wrong with her'. We are not encouraging divorce, it’s a lot of turmoil, but it saves you from a lot of things in life," the designer asserted. This perspective shifts the focus from societal failure to personal salvation and well-being.
Masaba's current life reflects this positive outlook. She is now happily married to actor Satyadeep Mishra, and the couple are parents to a daughter named Matara. Sania Mirza, a proud mother to her son Izhaan, also continues to inspire millions with her achievements on and off the court.
Masaba's Personal Journey of Healing
This is not the first time Masaba Gupta has spoken about navigating her divorce. In a 2020 interview, she admitted to initially burying her emotions in work. "I got so busy with work that I didn't even have the time to realise what was happening in my personal life," she had said. It was a concerned uncle who urged her to step off the "treadmill" and properly process her grief.
This advice led to a significant change in her approach to emotional well-being. Masaba learned the importance of allowing herself to feel all emotions fully, whether positive or negative. "I have changed drastically because I allow myself to not just grieve and feel down. I take two days off even when I feel celebratory," she explained. She also pointed out the universal truth that no one can truly understand another's personal struggle until they walk a similar path themselves.
The powerful conversation between these two influential women underscores a slow but significant shift in Indian society's dialogue around marriage, personal choice, and the right to pursue happiness, even if it means walking away from a union that no longer serves one's life.
