{
  "id": 2727556,
  "title": "Zayed Khan says wife Malaika Parekh’s ‘daring’ made him fall harder: Why chemistry alone isn’t enough",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/zayed-khan-says-wife-malaika-parekhs-daring-made-him-fall-harder-why-2727556",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-23T05:30:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express - Lifestyle",
    "slug": "the-indian-express-lifestyle",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/feelings/zayed-khan-school-romance-story-malaika-parekh-10624981/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Zayed Khan, an actor known for his roles in the film Main Hoon Na, recently revealed in an interview that his wife Malaika Parekh’s daring actions played a significant role in his growing affection for her. The couple, who were high school sweethearts, had a unique love story that began with Malaika boldly making the first move.\n\nZayed recounted how he first saw Malaika when he was just 17 years old, and at 15, she was already captivating him with her beauty. Realizing his feelings, he confided in a friend who told him that Malaika was already dating someone. Undeterred, Zayed took matters into his own hands, reaching out to her directly by asking a friend to introduce them and suggesting they meet for coffee or hot breads.\n\nAfter several attempts, Zayed finally received a shy \"Hi\" from Malaika, who seemed to look through him as if she were a leaf. This experience fueled his frustration and anger, leading him to take a bold act of defiance that ultimately caught Malaika's attention once again. This incident made him fall in love with her not only due to her physical appearance but also because of her daring personality and the courage she displayed.\n\nPsychologist Shruti Padhye from Mpower Helpline at Aditya Birla Trust shared insights into what truly sustains a relationship beyond initial attraction. While initial infatuation or \"spark\" can be captivating, it is emotional maturity and compatibility that are crucial for long-term relationship success. Malaika's boldness and strong personality impressed Zayed, making him believe that their love story was not solely based on looks but also on the values and emotional maturity that both brought to their relationship.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Zayed Khan says wife Malaika Parekh’s ‘daring’ made him fall harder: Why chemistry alone isn’t enough",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/zayed-khan-says-wife-malaika-parekhs-daring-made-him-fall-harder-why",
        "published": "2026-08-23T05:30:09.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}