Subhash Ghai performed kanyadaan for Poonam Sinha & Ayesha Shroff
Synopsis
Subhash Ghai's Raksha Bandhan post revealed something most Bollywood fans never knew: the filmmaker performed the kanyadaan at the weddings of both Poonam Sinha and Ayesha Shroff — the wives of his first two heroes, Shatrughan Sinha and Jackie Shroff. A rare glimpse into how deep the bonds of Hindi cinema's golden era ran, far beyond the credits.
Key Takeaways
Subhash Ghai revealed on Raksha Bandhan that he performed the kanyadaan at the weddings of Poonam Sinha and Ayesha Shroff .
He described both women as his 'Raakhi sisters' and said the three families meet every year on Raksha Bandhan.
Poonam Sinha won Miss Young India in 1968 and later married actor Shatrughan Sinha ; Ayesha Shroff won the title in 1980 and married Jackie Shroff in 1987 .
Ghai directed Shatrughan Sinha in Kalicharan (1976) and launched Jackie Shroff as a leading man in Hero (1983) .
Ghai also named a third sister, Sunita Bahri , in his post.
Veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai revisited cherished memories this Raksha Bandhan, sharing a heartfelt tribute to his two self-described 'Raakhi sisters' — Poonam Sinha and Ayesha Shroff — and revealing that he had performed the kanyadaan at both their weddings decades ago. Ghai posted a photograph featuring the two women on his social media account, accompanied by a personal note celebrating their enduring bond.
The Raksha Bandhan Post
In his post, Ghai wrote: 'NOTHING LIKE A BROTHER SISTER BONDING: RAAKHI. Especially in your professional world.' He identified the two women as among the most significant relationships of his personal and professional life, noting that the three families continue to meet every year on Raksha Bandhan. 'Till date we meet on Raakhi every year and they acknowledging me as best brother,' he wrote, adding that he felt 'blessed' to have sisters in his life.
The Kanyadaan Connection
Ghai disclosed that he had performed the kanyadaan — a central ritual in Hindu weddings — for both Poonam Sinha and Ayesha Shroff on their respective wedding days. 'I did their kanyadaan on their marriage day with my two first heroes in Kalicharan and Hero — Shatrughan Sinha and Jackie Shroff,' he wrote. The detail underscores how deeply the filmmaker's professional relationships had woven into his personal life, with the bonds formed on set eventually extending to family milestones.
From Beauty Pageants to Bollywood Families
Ghai also highlighted the parallel journeys of both women. Poonam Sinha was crowned Miss Young India in 1968 before building a career in Hindi cinema and later marrying Shatrughan Sinha. The couple are parents to actress Sonakshi Sinha and twins Luv Sinha and Kush Sinha. Ayesha Shroff, meanwhile, won the same title in 1980, went on to act and produce films, and married Jackie Shroff in 1987. Together they are parents to actor Tiger Shroff and entrepreneur Krishna Shroff. 'Both of my sisters were Miss Young India beauty contest winners in 1968 and 1980; both super models / actors / now both best mothers and sisters,' Ghai wrote.
The Films That Started It All
Ghai's connection with Shatrughan Sinha dates to Kalicharan, the 1976 action thriller he directed, which starred Sinha alongside Reena Roy, Ajit, and Prem Nath and proved a significant milestone in both men's careers. His association with Jackie Shroff began when Ghai launched Shroff as a leading man in Hero, released in 1983, opposite Meenakshi Seshadri. The film was a major commercial success and established Shroff as a Bollywood star. Ghai also mentioned a third sister, Sunita Bahri, in his post. The filmmaker's Raksha Bandhan message is a rare public window into the personal ties that have quietly run alongside some of Hindi cinema's most memorable collaborations.
Point of View
A decade apart, both marrying their era's defining action heroes, with the same filmmaker standing in as surrogate family at both ceremonies. That is less coincidence than a portrait of how tightly knit Hindi cinema's inner circle actually was.
NationPress
28 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Subhash Ghai perform the kanyadaan for Poonam Sinha and Ayesha Shroff?
Subhash Ghai performed the kanyadaan at both weddings because of his close personal bond with the families, which he described as a 'brother-sister' relationship. He referred to Poonam Sinha and Ayesha Shroff as his 'Raakhi sisters' and said the three families have continued to meet every Raksha Bandhan.
Who are Poonam Sinha and Ayesha Shroff?
Poonam Sinha is a former actress and Miss Young India 1968 winner who married actor Shatrughan Sinha; they are parents to Sonakshi Sinha, Luv Sinha, and Kush Sinha. Ayesha Shroff is a Miss Young India 1980 winner, actress, and film producer who married Jackie Shroff in 1987; they are parents to Tiger Shroff and Krishna Shroff.
What films connect Subhash Ghai to Shatrughan Sinha and Jackie Shroff?
Ghai directed Shatrughan Sinha in the 1976 action thriller Kalicharan, which was a major career milestone for both. He later launched Jackie Shroff as a leading man in Hero (1983), opposite Meenakshi Seshadri, which became a significant commercial success.
What did Subhash Ghai post on Raksha Bandhan?
Ghai shared a photograph of Poonam Sinha and Ayesha Shroff on his social media account, writing about their decades-long bond and revealing that he had performed the kanyadaan at both their weddings. He also praised both women as former beauty queens, actors, and mothers, and mentioned a third sister, Sunita Bahri.
