The week gone by saw myriad emotions with regard to the Salman Khan hit-and-run case.
But in the pandemonium, many seemed to have skipped another emotion that came from an entirely unexpected quarter Ranbir Kapoor.
On last Thursday (a day before Salman’s sentence was suspended by the High Court), Ranbir was asked if he would be visiting Salman considering he stays a stones throw away from the stars residence. This, because B-towners had been thronging Galaxy Apartments to show their support for their bhai.
However, the Rockstar actor flatly said, “No, I dont have any plans of visiting him.”
This answer becomes all the more interesting given Salman-Ranbirs history. The Kick actor was in a relationship with Katrina Kaif for almost six years. However, Kat moved on to Ranbir in 2010 and the two have been together since then.
Salman and Ranbir were never friends, to begin with. But the Katrina-angle made things all the more awkward. In the early stages of their relationship, Ranbir reportedly made a hasty exit from an event as soon as he heard that the Dabangg star had entered the venue.
Salman too wouldnt let any opportunity, to show his disapproval of the Kapoor scion, go by. During his appearance on Koffee With Karan in 2013, he had even joked how Ranbir has taken everything away from him, including his girlfriend and films.
Given their history, does Ranbirs refusal to meet Salman indicate insecurity? Or plain jealousy?
Clinical psychologist Seema Hingorrany says, Ranbir is taking the safe route, it is escapism. He is not comfortable confronting Salman because when you meet the person, all your memories start rushing back. You flinch because you start thinking that this person held a special place in your current partners life. That knowledge makes you uncomfortable.
She adds that a mature attitude on Ranbirs part would have made the situation less awkward. Interacting with your partners ex is not easy. But if you keep your biases aside, you may realise that the person is actually not as bad as you think, she states.
However, psychologist Varkha Chulani has a different take on the episode. About Ranbirs comment, she simply says, I think we should not read between the lines. Having said that, you dont necessarily need to be friends with your ex or exs current partner.
Similarly, psychologist Harish Shetty thinks that Ranbirs not going to his place doesnt come as a surprise. See, its his personal choice. Why single him out? Even Amitabh Bachchan did not go to meet Salman, he points out.
Being friends with your partners ex is a long shot. But one can always maintain an air of cordiality when brought face-to-face. A prime example being Saif Ali Khan and Shahid Kapoor.
Shahid and Kareena Kapoor dated for over four years before they parted ways. The actress soon found love in Saif and they tied the knot in 2012. That, of course, led to tension between the two actors.
However, its water under the bridge now. Saif and Shahid are coming together for Vishal Bhardwajs next, produced by Sajid Nadiadwala. They have decided to put professionalism above unfound jealousy or insecurity. A sign of maturity? We sure think so.
Of course, it has a lot to do with their current emotional state too. Saif enjoys a harmonious marriage with Kareena and is looking at a promising line-up of films. Shahid, who was linked to possibly every actress he worked with, has found an anchor in his fiance Mira Rajput. Plus, his professional success seems to have calmed him further. No wonder then, the two are in a content state in their lives and are happy to let bygones be bygones.
Says Hingorrany, Saif and Shahid have displayed wisdom and maturity by agreeing to work together. It may be awkward initially but the trick is to not go into the past. If you can do that, you can have a polite conversation with your partners ex.
Maybe Salman and Ranbir can take a cue from Saif and Shahid.
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