How do Bollywood actors react when they meet their ex-lovers in full view of the media? After the whirlwind romance, the adoring media attention and the painful break-up. Is it hard to keep emotions in check when you meet the ex-lover?
Movie stars seem to have mastered this art or are they just very good actors?
The incident that comes to mind happened recently, at Shabana Azmi’s birthday when Amitabh’s ex-lover came face-to-face with his wife — Jaya Bachchan. Those who expected explosions were sorely disappointed as that entire duo did were they politely exchanged pleasantries and move on. Even the newest member of the Bachchan Khandaan seemed happy to meet her father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan’s ex-muse. It was of course a pleasant surprise for all those, who loved Bachchans and also Miss Re. This was the moment when Aishwarya repaid Bachchans, who accepted the presence of her ex-boyfriend Vivek Oberoi at Teji Bachchan’s funeral.
Yet another similar instance occurred, when the couple who had an acrimonious break-up Shilpa Shetty and Akshay Kumar met each other. Unfortunately it was not at any social occassion but a professional platform when Akki shamlessly chose Shilpa-hosted Bigg Boss show to promote his then upcoming action reality show Fear Factor – Khatron Ke Khiladi. It was surprising to see a cool and calm Shilpa blushing in much-married Akshay Kumar’s presence. They tried hard to remain composed but their awkwardness was evident.
Preity Zinta too had been through such a moment when she continued her IPL partnership with Ness Wadia. The two ran into each other at the press conference of IPL season 2. Shilpa Shetty, another franchise-owner played the mediator and stayed between them throughout the event. This made their awkwardness even more obvious. However, their well-wishers saw a ray of hope when the two hugged each other to celebrate a victory at one of their matches. But sadly, it was not to be, as Preity and Ness maintain a strictly professional relationship.
Even in 1970s, Nargis shocked everyone when she walked the red carpet of her erstwhile lover Raj Kapoor’s son Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh’s marriage ceremony. Raj Kapoor and Nargis were the most talked about couple in town in their time but Nargis gracefully wiped off her past and tied the knot with Sunil Dutt. After two decades, the estranged lovers again came face to face in Raj Kapoor’s son Rishi Kapoor’s marriage where she walked in with her hubby and son Sanjay Dutt.
Around the same time another love story that was hot-favorite with gossip mongers was of Dilip Kumar and Madhubala. The duo was head over heels in love with each other but their association ended following a highly controversial and widely publicized court case against Madhubala and her father Ataullah Khan by the director of the film Naya Daur. Director B.R. Chopra wanted the unit to travel to Bhopal for an extended outdoor shoots but her father objected and even accused them that the entire schedule was arranged to give Dilip Kumar a reason to spend time with his daughter Madhubala. Finally, Chopra sued father-daughter duo for the advance amount that she received from him. Madhubala obediently supported her father despite being in a committed relationship with Dilip Kumar. When they lost the case after Dilip testified against Madhubala and her father in favor of the director B.R. Chopra in open court. Apart from tarnishing her image in public, the loss also led to their separation.
Is seems that despite their painful private lives, Bollywood knows how to paint a smile on its face in uncomfortable situations like these.
