Swara Bhasker, who is known for her bold choices on and off-screen, recently opened up about her interfaith marriage, motherhood, and cultural parenting in an interview with SCREEN. Married to politician Fahad Ahmad, Swara is determined to raise their daughter, Raabiyaa Rama Ahmad, with the richness of multiple religious and cultural traditions.
Swara Bhasker and Fahad Ahmad registered their marriage under the Special Marriage Act in early 2023, followed by a series of wedding celebrations honoring their Hindu and Muslim backgrounds. Their daughter, born in September 2023, carries a name that beautifully blends both faiths—Raabiyaa pays homage to the Sufi saint Rabia Basri, while Rama connects to Swara’s Hindu heritage.
Swara Bhasker believes in exposing her daughter to multiple faiths and traditions, ensuring she grows up with an inclusive worldview. “I don’t disbelieve in anything,” she shared. “When Raabiyaa was born, I told Fahad, ‘Let’s do all the rituals—whether Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian—whatever protects her, let’s do it.’ We did everything. In fact, after a point, I even joked, ‘Koi Christian ritual bhi hai kya?’”
Fahad Ahmad echoed her sentiments, adding, “Swara is deeply committed to ensuring that Raabiyaa is surrounded by love and spiritual blessings from every tradition. It’s her way of shielding her, making sure she grows up with the richness of every faith.”
Swara fondly recalled how her father used India’s epics as a parenting tool. “As a child, I wouldn’t eat, so my father would narrate stories from the Ramayan and Mahabharat. Right before the climax, he’d stop and tell me to finish my food before he revealed the ending. It was such a seamless way to connect us with our culture.”
This influence has shaped Swara’s instincts as a mother. “Whenever Raabiyaa is unwell or even coughs, I immediately ask Fahad to recite a prayer. There’s something comforting about those rituals—they carry centuries of care,” she said.
On the work front, Swara remains active in Bollywood. After her recent films Jahaan Chaar Yaar and Mimansa (2022), she is set to star in Mrs. Falani.
