Meet Manoj Bajpayee's Wife, Shabana Raza, Former Actress, Had An Interfaith Marriage With The Actor

Manoj Bajpayee has never failed to impress his fans with his stellar performances in the hit series, The Family Man. Now that The Family Man has returned with a brand new season and was premiered on November 21, 2025, fans can’t stop talking about Manoj’s performance. While the audience is lauding Manoj for his stellar acting skills, there has been a special person in Manoj’s life who is cheering and clapping hard for his success. Yes, you guessed it right. 

We are talking about Manoj Bajpayee’s ladylove, Shabana Raza a.k.a Neha. However, little do people Manoj had a marriage earlier. According to multiple reports, Manoj was married to a girl from his native land, Bihar. They had an arrange marriage in the early 1990s. But allegedly due to a long distance relationship, the couple parted ways. Now, that Manoj is enjoying the limelight, let’s meet his second wife, Shabana Raza who once sacrificed her career in order to take care of the family.

Who is Manoj Bajpayee's wife, Shabana Raza?

While people might know Shabana as Manoj Bajpayee’s wife, she has a world of her own. Shabana is a former actress. Her stage name was Neha. She made her acting debut with the film, Kareeb in 1998 and shared screen space with Bollywood star, Bobby Deol. She is widely known for her roles in Hogi Pyaar Ki Jeet, Fiza, Rahul, Aatma and Acid Factory. However, in 2009 she bid goodbye to her acting career and dedicated herself to take care of her family. She has also co-produced the film, Bhaiyya Ji, starring Manoj Bajpayee in the lead role.

When Shabana Raza opened up about exiting her acting career

In a 2024 interview with TOI, Shabana opened about her decision to quit acting. She shared after her marriage to Manoj Bajpayee, her mom was diagnosed with cancer, so she decided to have a child before she passed away. For the unversed, she welcomed a daughter named Ava in 2011 with her husband, Manoj Bajpayee. She mentioned that when her daughter was three, she wanted to work, but soon realised her responsibility as a mom. She was quoted as saying:

"After my marriage, my mother was diagnosed with cancer. I decided I had to have a child before she passed away. Fortunately, she lived for many years after that and got to spend time with Ava. Back then, that was my priority. When Ava was three, I did have this feeling that I wanted to work and it's normal to feel that regret of missing out. But who was going to take care of Ava? One of us had to stay at home. No! I just have one child and she means the world to us."

Shabana Raza became Manoj Bajpayee's pillar of strength during a tough phase in his life

In a recent interview with TOI, Manoj opened up about a tough phase of life. He mentioned that before the role of The Family Man Season 1 was offered, he didn’t have any work for the past one year. He shared that he was restless and felt like leaving acting, when The Family Man script came to him. However, it was her wife, Shabana’s support that helped him to stand strong. He was quoted saying:

"When the script came to me, I was restless and I felt this time is up and I should leave this profession. It was very intense. I didn't work for a year, and some of my friends were scared for me. The only person who could understand was my wife, Shabana. She told me, 'Whenever you want to work, you work. And if you feel like leaving this city and the industry, we are ready for it. We have no expectations.'"

Shabana Raza and Manoj Bajpayee's love story

Shabana Raza and Manoj Bajpayee crossed paths in 1998. According to multiple reports, the duo first met at the premiere of Satya and soon became close friends. In a past interview with Hindustan Times, Shabana recalled their first meet and shared that they met just after Kareeb. For the unversed, Kareeb and Satya were released with a one month gap in 1998. In the same interview, Shabana highlighted that the couple was individuals and yet compliment each other by setting an example of a compatible couple.

Although the couple never shied away from confessing their love and respect for each other, they prefer to lead a quiet life away from the media glare. After dating for nearly eight years, the duo decided to get married. In April 2006, Manoj tied the knot with Shabana. It was an interfaith marriage as Manoj is a Hindu Brahmin, Shabana is a Muslim. Once in an interview with Hindustan Times, Shabana revealed that she and Manoj enjoy the time when they stay together in their home.

Manoj too highlighted it in an interview with Mumbai Mirror. He shared that the secret behind their long-lasting relationship is communication. He mentioned that they enjoy their time together having conversation in their balcony on a free day. Years later in 2011, Shabana and Manoj welcomed their first child, a daughter named Ava. Once in an interview with Filmfare, The Family Man actor was asked about the changes that her wife and her daughter brought to his life. Manoj said:

"My wife has made me responsible. My daughter Ava Nayla has made me patient. I used to get angry easily, not today. Being with a child is a test of your personality."

Shabana Raza's sacrifice has yet again set an example that women can do anything for their family. While Manoj rising high in success, it has been Shabana's support which is worth mentioning.

Also Read: 'The Family Man 3', Meet Jaideep Ahlawat's 24-Year-Old Love Interest, Andrea Kevichusa In The Series

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