Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Raj Nidimoru to Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan: Actors who married directors

The world of cinema often sees creative partnerships blossom into lifelong love stories. When an actor, the face of the performance, chooses to marry a director, the architect of the vision, the result is a union that defines power and collaboration in the industry. These high-profile marriages, spanning Bollywood and South Indian cinema, represent deep, personal bonds forged in creative environments. Here is a look at such celebrated couples, their love stories, and the families they have built together.

Actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu married director-producer Raj Nidimoru in an intimate ceremony today, December 1, 2025, at the Linga Bhairavi Temple inside the Isha Yoga Centre. The ceremony was low-key, with only 30 guests present. Their relationship blossomed after collaborating on major projects like ‘The Family Man Season 2’ and ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny.’ The couple kept their romance private for a long time, though rumors intensified in 2024. Raj Nidimoru, half of the acclaimed 'Raj & DK' duo, and Samantha tied the knot in a sacred Bhuta Shuddhi Vivaha ritual.

Yami Gautam and director Aditya Dhar surprised fans when they married on June 4, 2021, in an intimate, traditional ceremony in Himachal Pradesh. Their love story began while they were working together on the blockbuster film ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike’ (2019). The couple kept their romance completely out of the public eye until their wedding announcement, stating their bond was organic and simple. They welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Vedavid Dhar, on May 10, 2024.

Rani Mukerji and filmmaker Aditya Chopra, the head of Yash Raj Films, kept their decade-long relationship private before tying the knot in a hushed-up ceremony in Italy on April 21, 2014. Their love grew from a close friendship, with Rani often having to defend herself against rumors that she was involved with Aditya while he was still married. They welcomed their daughter, Adira Chopra, on December 9, 2015. Aditya Chopra is famously media-shy, ensuring their family life remains extremely private.

Actress Soni Razdan and veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt married in 1986. Their relationship was complicated by Mahesh Bhatt’s first marriage; to marry Soni, he reportedly converted to Islam to legally wed her without divorcing his first wife. Their bond was characterized by a deep connection, and they have two daughters: author Shaheen Bhatt and actress Alia Bhatt. Soni Razdan is also the stepmother to Pooja Bhatt and Rahul Bhatt from Mahesh Bhatt’s previous marriage.

Actress Sonali Bendre married director-producer Goldie Behl on November 12, 2002. Goldie was immediately smitten with Sonali upon meeting her on a film set and pursued her relentlessly, relying on his sister, who was Sonali's best friend. He eventually won her over with his sincerity. Their love story faced a challenge when Sonali's conservative parents were initially hesitant, but Goldie's dedication won them over. They have one son, Ranveer Behl, born in August 2005.

South Indian superstar Nayanthara married director Vignesh Shivan on June 9, 2022, in a grand yet intimate ceremony in Mahabalipuram. Their romance began after they met while working on the film ‘Naanum Rowdy Dhaan’ in 2015. After dating for seven years, they announced their engagement in 2021. The couple welcomed twin boys, Uyir Rudroneel N. Shivan and Ulag Daiwik N. Shivan, via surrogacy on September 26, 2022, completing their family.