“l had a sense of security with him”: Supriya Pathak found a fatherly figure in Naseeruddin shah; this is what Psychology says

Relationships are not always defined by blood. Sometimes, they are built through small moments of kindness that quietly grow into lifelong bonds. For actor Supriya Pathak, one such moment happened on a Raksha Bandhan many years ago. What began with a simple Rakhi turned into a relationship that has lasted for decades. Today, she says she sees Naseeruddin Shah not just as her brother-in-law but as the elder brother she has always looked up to. Speaking about their bond, Supriya shared an emotional memory that reveals how one thoughtful gesture became a lifelong source of love, guidance, and emotional security.

A Raksha Bandhan that changed everything

Recalling her childhood, Supriya said that every year, the family would gather at her aunt’s house to celebrate Raksha Bandhan. Everyone was busy tying rakhis to their brothers. Amid the celebrations, she noticed that Naseeruddin Shah was sitting by himself. Curious, she asked if no one was going to tie a rakhi to him. His answer stayed with her. “I don’t have any sister,” he told her. Without thinking twice, Supriya decided she would tie a rakhi to him.That one gesture became a tradition they continued year after year. Looking back, she says she never saw him as just a relative by marriage. “I genuinely feel he is my elder brother,” she shared, adding that she has always considered him much more than a brother-in-law.

More than family, someone she could always turn to

For Supriya, the relationship became even more meaningful after the loss of her father. She revealed that Naseeruddin Shah gradually became the male figure she instinctively looked up to. Not because he was constantly solving her problems or giving advice. Instead, his presence itself gave her comfort. She explained that she always felt there was someone she could go to whenever she needed support. That quiet sense of security helped fill a space left empty after her father’s passing. Supriya admitted that she doesn’t even know whether she has ever told Naseeruddin Shah how deeply she feels this connection. But for her, he has always been someone she could depend on.

The qualities she admires most

While the world knows Naseeruddin Shah as one of India’s finest actors, Supriya chose to speak about him as a person. She described him as someone with immense maturity and kindness. According to her, he has “a lot of love” within him, something she has witnessed throughout the years. She also shared that she has learned many life lessons simply by observing him, not only understanding what to do but sometimes even what not to do. Those everyday observations, she believes, shaped her as a person.

What psychology says about relationships like these

Psychologists have long recognised that emotional security doesn’t come only from parents. Throughout life, people often form strong attachment bonds with siblings, grandparents, mentors, close relatives, or trusted family friends. According to “Attachment Theory,” developed by psychiatrist John Bowlby, having a dependable and emotionally supportive person in life creates what psychologists call a “secure base.” This secure base helps people feel safe, build confidence, cope with loss, and navigate life’s challenges more effectively.Research also shows that supportive family relationships beyond the parent-child bond can strengthen emotional well-being, reduce stress, and improve resilience, especially after the loss of a parent. In many families, an older sibling or another trusted adult naturally steps into a nurturing role, offering reassurance simply through their consistent presence.

Sometimes, family is built through love

Supriya Pathak’s story reminds us that meaningful relationships aren’t always planned. Sometimes they begin with the smallest acts: a conversation, a shared tradition, or in this case, a single Rakhi. That one gesture transformed two people’s lives in ways neither of them may have expected. For Supriya, Naseeruddin Shah became much more than a brother-in-law.He became someone who quietly restored a sense of security after one of life’s greatest losses. In a world where relationships are often measured by blood ties, their story is a beautiful reminder that family is also created through kindness, trust, and the people who choose to stand beside us. Sometimes, all it takes is one simple act of love for someone to become family forever.