Filmmaker Farah Khan has paid a heartfelt tribute to Sunita Ahuja, calling her the 'original star wife' and her personal hero, during a recent episode of the reality show Lock Upp 2. The remarks offered a rare, candid look at the decades-long bond between Farah and Sunita — and shed fresh light on Govinda and Sunita's famously secret marriage of 1987.

Farah's Tribute to Sunita Ahuja

Speaking on the show, Farah recalled knowing Sunita since she was 16 years old, and referenced the secret marriage that took place quietly because Govinda's home was close to hers. 'Guys, I have known this lady since she was 16 years old. Nayi Nayi chup ke shaadi karke ayi thi kyuki Govinda aur mera ghar pass main tha. To main use tab se jalti hu,' Farah said, adding warmly that all her life Sunita had been 'nothing but a Bollywood star wife' — and that today she is 'a role model for others.'

The Main Hoon Na and Tees Maar Khan director also noted Sunita's evolving identity beyond her husband's fame. 'Never say that I am a star wife, you are a star yourself now. Ab vo nikli hain maidan main aur kar rahi hain jo vo kar sakti hain apne ghar aur bachcho ke liye,' Farah said. She closed her tribute with a line that drew attention across social media: 'Govinda hoga hero sabka, tu meri hero number one hain.'

The Secret Marriage of 1987

Govinda and Sunita Ahuja married secretly in 1987, at a time when Govinda was at the cusp of his Bollywood rise. The couple chose to keep the marriage private and made their relationship public only after the birth of their daughter, Tina Ahuja. They also have a son, Yashvardhan Ahuja. The secrecy around the wedding was reportedly a calculated decision, given the entertainment industry's expectations of its leading men at the time.

Sunita's Own Revelations on Lock Upp 2

Sunita Ahuja's appearance on Lock Upp 2 has been notable for its candour. She revealed that Govinda had several affairs during their marriage, speaking with a tone of acceptance rather than bitterness. 'Pyaar mein toh aapko har cheez bardasht karna chahiye. Chi Chi ne life mein itne affairs kiye, chalo hero heroine mein toh hote hi hain. Toh mujhe lagta hai itne saal jo maine Chi Chi ke saath nibhaya hai, I think uske jaisa beta hona chahiye,' she said.

The candid disclosure drew widespread attention, with many viewers and commentators noting that Sunita's composure and resilience stood in sharp contrast to the typical narrative of celebrity marriages in Bollywood.

Why This Moment Resonates

Sunita Ahuja's arc — from a teenager who married in secret to a woman now commanding her own public identity — reflects a broader shift in how Bollywood perceives the partners of its stars. Farah Khan's endorsement, coming from one of Hindi cinema's most recognised directors, adds weight to that narrative. Notably, this is not the first time the two women's friendship has been referenced publicly, but it is among the most openly affectionate articulations of it. Whether on a reality show platform or elsewhere, Sunita's willingness to speak frankly about her marriage marks a distinct departure from the silence that has historically surrounded celebrity spouses in India.