The inspiring tale of real life Veer-Zaara who lived happily ever after

Bollywood’s famous cross-border love story Veer-Zaara shows India-Pak romance blossoming in spite of opposition, conflicts and separation. Played by Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta in the lead roles, the film completed 14 years of its release on November 12. Although the film rekindles love across borders, many might wonder if real life Veer-Zaara even exist.

Terresa Bernadette Sequeira who hails from Goa has been married to Karachi-born Naeem Jamil for 32 years and have four children together – a daughter and three sons. The couple has been living in Dubai for over 24 years now.

“Naeem was studying with me in Carmel School Kuwait till grade three. But after the sixth grade, boys and girls were separated,” Teresa said. They once again met years later when they both were working and fell in love but their parents were against marriage. “Plus Kuwaiti law requires for the parents to be present at the time of the ceremony so we eloped,” Terresa said.

The couple eloped to Cyprus and got married there in a court in 1986 and returned to Kuwait. Their families were still not supportive of their union but things changed when their first child, Zaheen, was born 10 months later. “We stayed in Kuwait till we had our first two children but then had to leave when the war between Iraq and Kuwait broke in 1990,” she added.

They stayed in Pakistan for about a year and later moved to Canada in 1992. After spending two years there, the couple relocated to Dubai in 1994 and have been living in the city since then.

Their daughter Sarah who is 28 said, “Having parents from both sides never really affected me or my brothers in any way. I don’t understand why some people on either side of the border hate each other despite so many similarities.”

Cricket in both the countries is the most important sport. When asked which side she chooses during India-Pakistan cricket matches, Sarah said, “In my house, I am the only one who watches these matches so I have never had an argument over cricket.”

Teressa and Naeem are one of the many couples who defy all odds to become Veer-Zaara in real life.