Rubina Dilaik on twins in Shimla: 'Let the world say whatever it wants'
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Television actress Rubina Dilaik has opened up about the ongoing public debate over her decision to have her twin daughters, Jeeva and Edhaa, raised by her senior citizen parents in her hometown of Shimla, while she continues to pursue her professional career in Mumbai. The actress addressed the criticism head-on, saying her family's happiness takes precedence over societal expectations.
What Rubina Said About the Criticism
Responding to online commentary suggesting that grandparents deserve to step back and focus on their own lives, Rubina was candid and firm. 'Society says grandparents should retire and live their own lives separately, but our parents don't agree with that thought process,' she said. 'They willingly want to support us and be there for the children. So when they themselves are happy doing it, let the world say whatever it wants.'
She emphasised that the arrangement is not one of compulsion but of genuine desire — both her parents and her in-laws have actively chosen to be involved in the upbringing of the children.
A Mother's Second Purpose
Rubina shared a particularly moving detail about her own mother's perspective on the experience. 'My mother tells me that when she looks into the eyes of my daughters, Jeeva and Edhaa, she feels like she has got a second life and a new purpose to live for,' she said. 'She wants to dedicate this phase of her life to bringing them up.'
This framing — of grandparenting as renewal rather than burden — cuts against the grain of a growing urban narrative that positions elder care and grandchild-rearing as competing demands on ageing parents.
In-Laws Fly in From Ludhiana
Rubina also noted that her husband, actor Abhinav Shukla's parents, despite being in their 70s, travel from Ludhiana to Mumbai whenever the family needs them. The involvement spans both sides of the family, making it a collective support system rather than a burden on any one set of grandparents.
'It is very important to acknowledge the support that I get from my family, especially from Abhinav,' she said. 'Whatever I am able to achieve today is because of them. My husband taking care of my daughters more than me, my mother looking after them, my in-laws flying down specially for the kids. I am immensely grateful.'
Where Rubina Is Now
At the time of these remarks, Rubina was in Cape Town, South Africa, preparing for the shoot of Khatron Ke Khiladi Season 15 — a stint that has kept her away from her twin daughters for nearly 40 days. The reality show, known for its high-risk physical challenges, has drawn some of Indian television's biggest names over the years, and Rubina's participation underscores the professional demands that have shaped this family arrangement.
As debates around working mothers, joint family structures, and the role of grandparents in modern India continue to evolve, Rubina's candid account adds a personal and prominent voice to a conversation that resonates well beyond celebrity circles.