Actress Katrina Kaif once shared a key lesson she had learnt from her relationships, saying that people should not make someone else responsible for their happiness or self-worth.
During an appearance on the sixth season of filmmaker and host Karan Johar’s chat show Koffee With Karan, the Tiger Zinda Hai actress spoke about the importance of independence, mutual respect and companionship in a relationship.
Katrina said she had become more comfortable with herself over the years and no longer believed that being in a relationship was essential for everyone.
Recalling a discussion with friends, she said some believed that most women needed a man in their lives. However, she explained that this was not necessarily true for everyone and did not reflect her own experience of being single.
“I’m becoming comfortable with who I am, which I don’t think I was for a large part of my life because you somehow judge yourself based on how much love or attention you get from your partner,” she said.
She added that when a relationship was going well, a person could feel good about themselves, but difficulties in the relationship could also affect their self-esteem and self-image.
Reflecting on her biggest takeaway from past relationships, Katrina said, “Nobody else is responsible for your happiness.”
She explained that placing responsibility for one’s happiness on another person could burden the relationship, as neither partner could be expected to fulfil that role indefinitely.
“At some point they are going to let you down, or you let them down, and that’s when the relationship suffers,” she said.
Describing her idea of a healthy and fulfilling relationship, Katrina said love should not be based on dependence but on admiration, respect and companionship.
“The most beautiful kind of love is when neither of you need each other. There’s no great dependence on the other person, there’s admiration, respect, companionship, and there’s a space of ease between you,” she said.
Katrina is married to actor Vicky Kaushal, and the couple have a son, Vihaan.
