“Marriage is ‘Outdated’, legal stamp not needed: Jaya Bachchan’s bold view sparks fresh debate

Veteran actor and MP Jaya Bachchan’s candid comments at a Mumbai event have reignited national conversations on how young Indians view marriage, relationships and modern family structures.

At a public interaction in Mumbai, veteran actor and parliamentarian Jaya Bachchan sparked a wide conversation on modern relationships by calling marriage an “absolutely outdated” institution. Speaking at the We The Women session hosted in the city, her remarks stirred immediate reactions both online and offline, with many young Indians weighing in on how relationships and family structures are evolving.

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During the discussion, Bachchan reflected on how dramatically social behaviour, partnerships and parenting have shifted across generations. She mentioned that she would not want her granddaughter Navya to marry, adding that the younger generation views companionship and commitment very differently from earlier times. According to her, the idea that a relationship must be validated by a legal stamp is no longer essential for many.

The actor also spoke about how today’s children are far more aware and sharp, often making traditional advice feel outdated. She pointed out that even as a grandmother, she feels the new generation is “too smart” and often outpaces adults in understanding their own choices and boundaries.

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In a lighter moment, she drew on the popular saying about the “Delhi ka ladoo”, highlighting that marriage continues to be something both difficult to choose and difficult to avoid, depending on individual expectations. Her comments, delivered with humour, quickly travelled across social media platforms, triggering debates about how young adults today define long-term relationships.

Her statements have now become part of a larger national discussion on whether marriage continues to hold the same relevance it once did, and how Indian society is gradually adapting to new perspectives on companionship.