Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 30, 2023)

The relationship between Parineeti Chopra and her brothers, Sahaj and Shivang, is setting major goals on social media. Getting candid about the siblings’ ever-evolving bond, Parineeti (34), in her first interview after her engagement, says, “By virtue of our careers, we live in three separate cities of the world. Sahaj (30) lives in Delhi, I live in Mumbai, and Shivang (29) lives in London (UK). For years, we weren’t together on Raksha Bandhan, but we have never missed a celebration.”

How do you celebrate Raksha Bandhan?
Parineeti: I start planning their rakhis and gifts in advance. I must mention that they have never given me a rakhi gift till now. I am still waiting. When they were growing up, they were obsessed with cars, so I bought them rakhis with car toys, which they kept for the longest time.
Sahaj: Shivang’s was a red car and mine was blue. I took care of it and still have the car with me.

Is it going to be a virtual celebration this year?
Parineeti: Yes. If they don’t call me by 10 am or 11 am, I will call them to make sure they’ve tied the rakhi I sent them.
Shivang: Didi has been sending us rakhis all these years, and we wear them for as long as we can.
Sahaj: For me, today is even more special because we are hardly together. When we get a rakhi from her, we wait for the day we can tie it.

How would you describe your bond?
Sahaj: I have always been very protective of Parineeti. Our bond has grown over the years and, today, we can speak about everything. We truly are each other’s closest friends.
Shivang: We don’t keep any secrets. We bully and protect each other.
Parineeti: How we talk to each other is a measure of how much we like the other [at that moment]. If we are roasting and making fun of each other, that means everything is fine. When we start talking formally, that means something’s wrong, which is rare. We probably fight once in two years.

Do you ever feel the age gap among the three of you?
Parineeti: The age gap has disappeared. We seem to be the same age. I was five years old when they were born, so I felt like a second mother to them. They have trained me for motherhood. We have our own individual bonds [with each other]. Shivang is the guy I travel with and Sahaj is the one I talk to when I need advice.

You’d marry Raghav Chadha soon. Did you first confide in your brothers about your relationship?
Parineeti: Any new chapter in my life is never for the public first and then my family. It’s always the opposite. So, if I’m thinking of getting engaged, there’s no way I won’t involve my family. Marriage is a big decision. And it is not only about my family, both the families [were involved]. They had to meet and talk.