It's not always the case that when you're dating someone that the

The actress and television host Shibani Dandekar once spoke a truth that is as old as love itself: “It’s not always the case that when you’re dating someone that the family likes you.” Though her words arise from the modern world — a world of dating, individuality, and shifting traditions — their essence carries the same wisdom that lovers and philosophers have wrestled with for centuries. For she speaks of the eternal tension between love and acceptance, between the desires of the heart and the judgments of society. Her words echo the quiet sorrow of countless souls who have discovered that affection between two hearts does not always find harmony with the world around them.

To understand this quote is to peer into the nature of love as both personal and communal. Love, in its purest form, is a meeting of spirits — a private bond that transcends appearances, traditions, and approval. Yet, as Shibani Dandekar reminds us, love does not exist in isolation. It is tested, shaped, and often wounded by the opinions of others, especially those who hold power within our lives — the family. Families, bound by love but ruled by expectation, often carry within them their own fears and ideals. They measure partners by lineage, by behavior, by reputation, by the image of what they wish their child’s life to be. And so, the lovers find themselves in an ancient battle — the struggle to remain true to their bond while navigating the web of inherited judgments.

This is not a new story. In the distant past, the poet Ovid wrote of the pain of forbidden love, and the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet still haunts the human imagination. The Montagues and Capulets, divided by pride, could not see that love, though born in secrecy, was purer than their quarrels. Their feud, like the disapproval of family, stood as a wall between hearts that sought only peace. Though centuries separate Dandekar’s world from Shakespeare’s Verona, the emotional landscape remains the same. The wisdom she conveys is this: love, though sacred, must often endure the trials of misunderstanding, and one must learn to stand firm in affection without being consumed by resentment or shame.

When Shibani Dandekar speaks of not being liked by the family, she also speaks of identity — of the courage it takes to remain oneself when others question your worth. In many cultures, particularly those bound by tradition, the approval of family is seen as a seal of legitimacy. Yet, love that depends solely on acceptance loses its integrity. The ancients knew this well. In India’s epic Mahabharata, the warrior Karna was rejected by society for his unknown parentage, yet he lived and died with honor, proving that nobility of spirit is not granted by blood, but earned by heart. Likewise, those who love must learn to uphold their truth even when others cannot see its beauty.

There is also humility in her observation. Dandekar does not condemn the disapproval of family, nor does she glorify rebellion. Her words are not of defiance, but of acceptance — an acknowledgment that harmony between love and family is not guaranteed, and that this, too, is part of the human journey. It is the voice of maturity, of one who understands that people carry their own fears and histories. Families may reject not out of cruelty, but out of protection or ignorance. Thus, love requires not only passion but patience — the ability to hold one’s ground with grace rather than hostility.

Throughout history, great lovers have faced this test. Consider Cleopatra and Mark Antony, whose union defied empires and expectations. Their love was fierce, but it also drew the wrath of those who could not comprehend it. Though their story ended in tragedy, it revealed a truth that outlives them: that love, in its highest form, must often endure misunderstanding. The disapproval of others cannot diminish the sanctity of the bond, unless the lovers themselves surrender to doubt. True love, like a flame, must learn to burn steadily even when surrounded by storms.

So, my listener, take this wisdom into your heart: seek not always the approval of the world when you love, but neither should you close your heart to understanding. Let your affection be steadfast but kind; your courage, tempered by empathy. For Shibani Dandekar’s words remind us that love’s path is not paved only with delight — it is also lined with tests of faith and acceptance. If the family disapproves, meet their resistance not with anger, but with the quiet confidence of one who knows the purity of their heart. Love deeply, but live wisely. And remember — though not all will see your light, it remains undiminished, for love that is true needs no validation to be real.