Twinkle Khanna, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Kajol: Prominent Star Wives of Substance

MUMBAI — Salman Khan might have escaped so far, but most of our heroes have had women of substance as their wives as of lately. And these women would prefer to be known first as themselves rather than as their husbands’ better halves, thank you. And the husbands would agree too.

A classic example is Katrina Kaif, who totally resents being known primarily as Ranbir Kapoor’s girlfriend/live-in partner. For starters, the lady is a senior in movies and spectacularly and infinitely more successful. For another, she’s a rare achiever and trailblazer among non-Indians to make it big in Hindi cinema (Lauren Gottlieb, Amy Jackson and Elli Avram are trying hard). And three, she has had a long run in the A-plus list when Ranbir Kapoor is not yet really there.

Let us talk then about the other prominent star wives of today. We realize that the wives of Shahid Kapoor, John Abraham, Imran Khan, Emraan Hashmi, Vivek Oberoi and Suniel Shetty prefer to be in the background even though some of them are doing great things sans any craving for attention.

Aamir Khan: While Reena Dutta made a dignified exit from Aamir Khan’s life after working with him, as well as bringing up his two children, she won everyone’s hearts, including Aamir’s, with her mature handling of the situation and still commands respect in his household.

Aamir’s wife Kiran Rao does her own thing in cinema and supports the kind of movies and artistes she believes in completely. She is neither in his shadow nor cashes in on her husband’s status.

Hrithik Roshan: Quietly making her own mark is Sussanne Roshan after she divorced her husband. The parting was dignified, sans mud-slinging and other negativity, and she still has a good equation with her ex-in-laws.

Ajay Devgn: Ajay Devgn is always hunting for — and has now found — a vehicle for Kajol’s artistry that he will produce. Meanwhile, she has just worked on “Dilwaale” with old reel favorite and close friend Shah Rukh Khan. A secure couple.

Akshay Kumar: Perhaps one of the luckiest men in showbiz, Akshay has the redoubtable Twinkle Khanna, ex-actor who is now many good things — a film producer, a creative business entrepreneur, a sharply-perceptive columnist in “The Times of India” and a hot and popular member of the Twitterati, and now a celebrated author as well — all while remaining a superb homemaker!

Saif Ali Khan: Kareena Kapoor Khan is someone whose individual identity the actor fiercely preserves and has been proud of since the beginning.

Abhishek Bachchan: Here is an actor who is terribly excited that his wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is making a comeback to acting after her pregnancy and early motherhood. Like Kareena and Katrina, she happens to be a bigger star than her spouse. And he is supremely comfortable with that!

Shah Rukh Khan: Gauri Khan has made her own identity as a woman of substance even as she takes on the official mantle of being the producer of his home productions.