On Raksha Bandhan 2025, Zanai Bhosle, the granddaughter of legendary singer Asha Bhosle, tied a Rakhi to Indian cricketer Mohammed Siraj, publicly celebrating their sibling-like bond and dispelling months of dating rumors. The gesture, captured in a heartwarming video, clarified their relationship and emphasized cultural pride amidst public scrutiny.
The video, jointly shared by Zanai and Siraj on Instagram, shows Zanai in a green salwar kameez tying a Rakhi on Siraj's wrist, applying a traditional tilak, and receiving a gift envelope from him. Siraj, dressed in a classic white kurta-pyjama, reciprocated the affection. Zanai captioned the post, "Happy Rakhi. Couldn't have asked for better,". Both Zanai and Siraj disabled comments on the post, a move seen as an attempt to avoid further speculation.
Rumors of a romantic relationship between Siraj and Zanai began earlier in the year when photos from Zanai's 23rd birthday party circulated online. The images sparked speculation, leading some to believe they were dating. However, both Zanai and Siraj quickly shut down the rumors by referring to each other as "brother" and "sister" in their Instagram stories. Zanai had shared the photo again on her Instagram Stories and wrote, "Mere pyaare bhai (my dear brother),". Siraj reposted the photo on his story and wrote, "Meri behen ke jaisi koi behna nahin. Bina iske kahin bhi mujhe rehna nahin. Jaise hai chaand sitaaron mein, meri behna hai ek hazaaro mein (There is no one like my sister. I don't want to stay anywhere without her. My sister is one of a kind like the moon and stars),".
The Raksha Bandhan celebration served as a definitive statement, reinforcing their sibling connection and dispelling any lingering doubts. By embracing the cultural tradition of Rakhi, Zanai and Siraj not only honored the festival but also offered a graceful response to the unfounded gossip. The act highlighted the unique and irreplaceable bond between siblings, even in the public eye.
Zanai Bhosle is pursuing a career in the arts, following in the footsteps of her grandmother. She has lent her voice to tracks such as "Kehndi Hai" and "Saiya Bina". Zanai is also set to make her acting debut in the upcoming historical film "Pride of Bharat – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj," directed by Sandeep Singh.
Mohammed Siraj has garnered praise for his performance on the cricket field. During the recent tour of England, Siraj led the wicket charts with 23 wickets. His stamina, mental strength, and passion have been lauded by cricket legends like Wasim Akram, with some suggesting he has surpassed Jasprit Bumrah as India's premier fast bowler. Siraj's recent performance earned him a career-best rating of 674 points in the ICC Men's Test Bowler Rankings, climbing 12 places to grab the 15th spot.
