The stars break their hearts too

Even the biggest stars in the world of entertainment aren’t immune to romantic mishaps. In Bollywood, breakups have become a recurring trend, and the reasons are often only speculation. Ananya Panday and Aditya Roy Kapur’s split, for instance, shocked those who were anticipating a new power couple. Their whirlwind romance, marked by public appearances and cosy vacation snapshots, ended abruptly. Neither party has spoken publicly about the breakup, but their actions speak volumes, hinting at a silent yet significant disconnect.

Similarly, Shruti Haasan and Santanu Hazarika’s relationship, once celebrated on social media, faced turbulence this year. Unfollowing each other and deleting shared pictures hinted at underlying issues, eventually leading to their separation. The public nature of their romance turned the breakup into a spectacle of speculation, with fans and media alike trying to decode the reasons behind their split.

Tara Sutaria and Aadar Jain’s romance, once openly acknowledged, was another relationship which ended suddenly.

The pain of love

Babil Khan, son of the late Irrfan Khan, shared his breakup experience with a mystery girl in a poignant post. He wrote, “I don’t think moving on is about trying to hide away what you have loved. In reality, you never really move on from the people that you have loved. They become a part of your life and the sails that catch the winds that make you who you are.” His heartfelt words captured the bittersweet essence of lost love.

Babil reflected on their time together: “I chipped my tooth falling down the stairs, I like how you sound when you laugh. When you leave, take my crooked smile with you. Let me rebuild another half.” His mother, touched by his vulnerability, remembered her late husband, Irrfan Khan, adding emotional depth to the narrative.

Handling it with humour

In contrast, Tiger Shroff's witty response to questions about his alleged breakup with Disha Patani introduced humour into a sensitive subject. “Meri ek hi Disha hai life mein. Haan, aur wo hai mera kaam,” he quipped, deflecting inquiries with his play on the word ‘disha’, meaning goal or path.

Relationship guruspeak

Understanding why couples break up, especially after years of emotional investment, requires insight into various factors. Experts shed light on some common reasons:

In the intricate dance of relationships, unmet expectations strain commitment, often leading to a breaking point under suffocating pressure to commit. Our interconnected world presents both opportunities and challenges; with global travel and work opportunities, couples navigate career choices and relocations, altering preferences for partners and locations. Evolving societal values complicate compromise, adding strain to relationships seeking common ground. The influence of family and friends is significant; their approval strengthens bonds, while lack of validation breeds doubt. Taking partners for granted erodes value over time, prompting decisions to part ways and seek new paths. Couples at different life stages struggle to synchronise, creating emotional distance and complicating shared journeys. — Shalini Gianchandani, co-founder, Inner-Connect Psychological and Counselling Service

Relationship fatigue sets in when couples feel their connection stagnating, leading to exhaustion and a lack of growth. If emotional, physical or financial needs go unmet, cracks emerge in the partnership. As relationships mature, partners may naturally drift apart as priorities shift. How partners handle stress can determine if the relationship is viable. External influences like family or friends can influence decisions to end a relationship. Legal marriage or children may complicate matters, but they don’t guarantee longevity if needs aren’t met. Ultimately, introspection is crucial when deciding the fate of a relationship. — Dr Varudhini Kankipati, Practicing family therapist and counsellor at NALSAR University of Law