Bollywood’s New Relationship Trend: Why Exes Are Choosing Friendship Over Drama

There are rumors going around that Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varma might have broken up but decided to remain friends. The two, who stole the limelight with their hot chemistry on and off the screen, were frequently seen together at parties and holidays. However, recent buzz is that they might have separated romantically while keeping their equation friendly. If it is true, then they won't be the first Bollywood couple to do so. There have been a number of celebrity exes who have shown the way by remaining close friends after their break-up.



Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao went public with their divorce in 2021, having been married for 15 years. But what amazed all and sundry was how they separated. The two are still co-parenting their son, Azad, and close as friends in terms of business, collaborating on films under their banner. This closeness was witnessed when they turned up together for Laal Singh Chaddha promotions, demonstrating that respect and friendship can transcend romantic relationships.



Formerly one of Bollywood's most stylish couples, Arbaaz Khan and Malaika Arora divorced after 18 years of marriage in 2017. In spite of their breakup, they have co-parented their son, Arhaan Khan, and remain friends. They have both moved on—Malaika with Arjun Kapoor and Arbaaz with Giorgia Andriani (previously their supposed breakup)—but their capacity for a cordial, even warm, relationship after divorce is worthy of admiration. They have been spotted together at family gatherings and even speak about their experience candidly in interviews, setting an example of maturity and respect for one another.



Hrithik Roshan and Sussanne Khan's divorce in 2014 was the most speculated-about split in Bollywood. Yet, rather than hatred, the two decided to be wonderful friends. They holiday together with their kids quite often, visit family gatherings, and endorse each other in public. Sussanne even posts tweets praising Hrithik's work and character, showing that their friendship remains intact even after they separated as husband and wife.



Before Anushka Sharma married Virat Kohli, she dated Ranveer Singh. The break-up between the two, though, never ended in animosity. Both of them have been seen giving warm hugs to each other at award shows, giving each other funny one-liners, and even appreciating one another's performances. Ranveer, whose personality is known to be boisterous, has frequently referred to Anushka as a great actress, whereas Anushka has talked about her pleasure in working with him. Their working relationship is an affirmation of how friendships during former marriages need not color subsequent working relationships.



Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap and Kalki Koechlin had a four-year marriage prior to their separation in 2015. The passion for cinema and the mutual respect they shared made their breakup free of bitterness. They still work together, enjoy each other's work, and have even talked about their friendship post-divorce in interviews. Kalki, a mother now, stays in contact with Anurag, who has never hesitated to express his admiration for her both as a person and as an artist.


Those days of breakups in Bollywood resulting in cold wars and stony silences are over. Today's stars are embracing maturity, opting for friendship instead of bitterness, and showing that love can be different. Whether it's for the children, working together, or just respect, these Bollywood ex-couples are redefining the breakup story.
Maybe, being friends with an ex is not just a Bollywood phenomenon—it's a new relationship revolution.