The ex-factor is no longer the stress factor in Bollywood
Can you be friends with your ex? Or for that matter, can you and your ex’s husband be friends? Ahem! In a perfect world, maybe yes. But, ‘no!’ is what might be the reaction of most people. But when it comes to Akshay Kumar,Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra, yes, apparently it’s possible!
Moons ago when Akshay Kumar romanced the leggy Shilpa Shetty with “Chura ke dil mera” little did anyone know that reel life would become real life. The Khiladi was then seeing his Mohra costar Raveena Tandon. And the two were, as rumours suggested, engaged to be married. But there’s many a slip between the cup and the lip. As it had always been the case when it came to Akshay, the khiladi had the reputation of being a player. Arriving in Bollywood from Bangkok, he got involved with Miss India – Pooja Batra. Akshay, the rising star in Bollywood, dumped her the moment he made it big with Khiladi. It was no coincidence that he was seeing his co-star, Ayesha Julka, those days. But it wasn’t long before Akshay, wearing his heart on his sleeve, decided to bid adieu to Ayesha and started wooing Raveen Tandon, who seemed a far better catch.
So as the stars of Bollywood sizzled and shimmied, Raveena was in theknow of Akshay’s rather roving eye. Things reached a head when Akshay and the elusive diva Rekha, post their rather steamy number in Khiladion ke Khiladi, had a steamy liaison of sorts. Sources suggested that a harried Raveena attempted to warn off the sultry actress by saying, “Rekhaji please maintain a distance from my fiancé”.
But, alas! Raveena tried hard, very hard. But, Akshay continued his wayward streak and the two called it quits. Within a matter of days Akshay Kumar had new arm-candy – Shilpa Shetty.
The actor was seen with Shilpa Shetty and it seemed that the Dhadkan co-stars only had eyes for each other. But once again it was a heartbreak street for Shilpa as Akshay Kumar unceremoniously dumped her and married Twinkle Khanna in a secret ceremony. Shilpa, nursing her wounds, went through the toughest phase of her life. But soon after, she pulled herself together. Akshay and Twinkle had their own issues as the actor had a full-blown affair with Priyanka Chopra. Twinkle intervened and forbade her husband from signing films with Ms Chopra unless he wanted to end their marriage and lose custody of their son.
Shilpa went on to win Big Brother and was soon involved with Raj Kundra, a London basedbusinessman whom she eventually married. Meanwhile Shilpa Shetty and Raveena Tandon came together and became friends. Could it be the common ‘Ex-Factor’ between the two that brought them together? We can only speculate. But from photos of Shilpa and Raveena with their respective hubbies at social occasions such as karwa chauths and other public events, it seemed as though the couples got on together like a house on fire.
Though Shilpa and Akshay were seen together on the same platform on many occasions, there was never any animosity or reason to avoid each other. One could only applaud the maturity with which the two remained cordial with each other. But Akshay being a true khiladi couldn’t resist the opportunity to flirt. Once, on the sets of his reality show Khatron ke Khiladi, a blushing Shilpa remarked what a real daredevil the actor was. Akshay cheekily said to Shilpa,”You know me better than anyone else.” And now we are treated to another ‘wow’ moment. Akshay, Shilpa and Raj Kundra have joined hands to partner in business. They co-own India’s first soon to be launched celebrity teleshopping channel titled ‘Best Deal TV.
When asked about his past with Shilpa Akshay admitted, “The answer is really in your question itself. It’s the past. The past hasgone. We are looking at our present and the future. We are both happy in the present and we are all very excited and looking forward at creating a fantastic future with Best Deal TV. Raj and I have common friends in Canada and Hong Kong. He approached me with this project and I loved the concept.”
So now, different celebrities on the channel will be selling and endorsing brands that they co-own. Well, all we can say is that many a warring exes can take a tip or two from Shilpa and Akshay. Or for that matter, even Deepika and Ranbir who continue to work together. Likewise Katrina and Salman. It seems the ex-factor is no longer the stress factor in B-town.