Actor-activist Amala Akkineni recently spoke about her daughters-in-law Shobhita Dhulipala and Zainab Rawadji, discussing the change and positivity that has come in the Akkineni family after her marriage to Naga Chaitanya and Akhil Akkineni. She addressed these topics during a podcast with NTV, offering her perspective as a mother-in-law in a family with diverse religious backgrounds.

Amala expressed her admiration and affection towards her daughters-in-law and emphasized the qualities that make each one unique. Amala said, “It’s so wonderful. I have two lovely daughters-in-law. Of course, Shobhita is very talented and independent, a very sweet young person. We have so much admiration for her. She is such a loving young lady. I love spending time with her.”

Talking about Akhil Akkineni’s wife Zainab Rawadji, Amala shared, “Zainab is a very kind person. She is very accomplished in her field. There is so much love and happiness in the house, it’s heart-touching. We are blessed to have lovely daughters. Zainab also brought a new sensibility and sensitivity towards Islam. She helped us understand how to be comfortable for her to live in a Hindu home.”

Amala also discussed her multicultural upbringing. According to him, his mother was a Catholic who practiced Sufism, while his father was a Hindu. These elements have contributed to the family’s openness to different religions.

He told that his father-in-law Akkineni Nageswara Rao considered work and humanity as the highest worship and his mother-in-law followed Hinduism, while Amala herself followed Buddhism. This background has influenced the family’s acceptance of religious diversity.

The Akkineni family celebrated recent weddings, with Naga Chaitanya marrying Sobhita Dhulipala in December 2024 after getting engaged in August the same year. Akhil Akkineni married Zainab Rawadji in June following their engagement in November 2024.