All for the best'

Umair Jaswal breaks silence on divorce from Sana Javed

Singer Umair Jaswal and actor Sana Javed's relationship came to an official end last year, but even after their split, Jaswal has kept his thoughts on the matter surprisingly diplomatic.

The couple had a brief but closely watched marriage that began in October 2020 and ended quietly, though public speculation intensified when they unfollowed each other on social media and removed wedding photos. The split was confirmed indirectly when Sana Javed married cricketer Shoaib Malik in January, officially marking the end of her relationship with Jaswal.

Instead of igniting public drama or making bold statements, the singer took a more restrained approach, emphasising that "A lot of people reached out to me after the divorce from all over the world and I kept telling them that there's nothing to worry about. It's all for the best."

This level-headed response feels almost rare in the world of celebrity separations, where divorces often spiral into very public disputes. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's ongoing legal battle, for example, has been riddled with accusations and conflicts over custody, leaving their family life strained. The impact has been significant, with reports that some of Pitt's children have even dropped his last name in a visible sign of family discord.

A necessary path

In an appearance on Rising Pakistan, Jaswal shared some insights about his personal journey since the divorce. When asked about his new marriage, he expressed gratitude for where life has led him, saying, "Alhamdullilah, God has been very kind. I think He takes you through a journey and brings you to the right place. And when you reach that place you realise that the journey to that specific moment was necessary for you to appreciate where you are now."

Jaswal's reflections seem to highlight a belief that every experience, positive or challenging, serves a purpose in bringing him to his current place of happiness.

"We were so overwhelmed by the response we got just by posting one picture of the announcement. I'm very happy that people out there love me and I'm in their prayers," said the Gagar singer.

As for his new marriage, Jaswal has deliberately kept details under wraps, even after he posted a photo in groom attire on Instagram, sparking questions about his new partner. Explaining his decision to maintain this privacy, he noted, "It's not about hiding it, it's more about how I've matured to believe that your personal life should not crossover with your professional life… I think people are getting too obsessed with others' personal lives." For Jaswal, keeping a firm boundary between his personal and professional life has become crucial.

He furthered on to say, "Celebrities open that door themselves and then regret it. I think the longer you keep that door closed, and you can keep engaging people with your work, that's the best. I want to be known for my work, not who I married." There is also something to be said for the other person's privacy. "If they respect their privacy," he added, "then I 110 per cent stand by them."

Social media scrutiny

The singer-songwriter's words reflect an awareness of how celebrity culture has evolved, with personal lives increasingly in the spotlight and social media feeding this fascination. It's a shift he seems to regard cautiously, remarking, "When I was growing up - believe me - I did not care what kind of bread my idols were eating or what clothes they were wearing." For him, the decision to keep his personal life off-limits isn't about secrecy but about maintaining a healthier balance.

Even with the challenges of online scrutiny, Jaswal has remained level-headed about social media's impact on public figures. Commenting on the negativity that often arises online, he shared, "Social media is such an interesting place. People reach out to us and say such negative and demeaning things. But if you just speak to them nicely, you realise that this was just an attempt to get some attention."

He explained that he's been fortunate not to experience widespread hate online, but has seen the toll it has taken on friends and colleagues. Reflecting on the divide between online and real-life interactions, he added, "When you leave the house, what do people do to you in public? They show love… So, the hate doesn't really exist; it's only on social media."