Sonakshi Sinha’s cousin Pooja Ruparel dismisses rumours of her rift with brothers Luv and Kussh over marriage to Zaheer Iqbal: ‘Families have their ups and downs’

Amid ongoing speculation about Sonakshi Sinha’s relationship with her brothers, Luv and Kussh Sinha, actress Pooja Ruparel, who is best known as Chhutki from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Sonakshi’s cousin, has come forward to set the record straight. Calling the reports baseless gossip, Pooja emphasised that the Sinha family remains close and connected despite what social media might suggest.

‘People are so jobless to discuss such things’

Speaking with Siddharth Kannan, Pooja addressed the rumours head-on, saying, “I’m not here to give gossip. I have met Zaheer, and he’s one of the funniest men I have ever met. I love him! I don’t understand how people are so jobless to discuss such things. Luv and Sonakshi have worked together in a full-fledged film, Nikita Roy. If they were on bad terms, would they have done that? The whole family appeared together on The Great Indian Kapil Show. People just love to gossip.”


Ever since Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal tied the knot in June 2024, the internet has been rife with claims that her brothers skipped the wedding — fuelling rumours of a rift within the family.

‘There’s so much love and comfort between them’

Pooja went on to praise Sonakshi and Zaheer’s relationship, describing it as genuine and full of joy.

“There’s so much love and comfort between them. They complement each other beautifully,” she said.

The couple, who had been dating for years before getting married, has often faced online scrutiny — something Pooja believes is completely unwarranted.

‘The family is very close-knit’

Sharing her bond with Sonakshi’s mother, Poonam Sinha, Pooja revealed that her aunt has played a pivotal role in her life.

“She’s seen me since childhood and has always treated me like her own. The entire family is very close-knit. People love to make stories out of thin air,” she said.

Rumours of a family fallout began when Luv and Kussh Sinha were not spotted at Sonakshi and Zaheer’s wedding festivities in Mumbai. While Luv later said he preferred not to comment on private matters, his silence only added to the speculation.

‘Families have their ups and downs’

Pooja’s statement now offers clarity, portraying the Sinha family as united despite minor differences.

“Families have their ups and downs, but at the end of the day, they stand together. People will always talk — that doesn’t make it the truth,” she concluded.