By Anil Merani: The marriage of Aditi Sharma and Abhineet Kaushik is reportedly facing serious issues, making it a saga more captivating than any web series, with elements of deceit, infidelity, and a secret marriage. Why settle for fiction when you can witness this real-life drama unfold, frame by frame, through the lens of social media?
Abhineet claims that Aditi forced him to marry her after years of living together, only to cheat on him with her Appolina co-star, Samarthya Gupta. He alleges that she demanded 25 lakh rupees to settle the matter, and her father has been accused of assaulting Abhineet.
What is equally galling is the difference in the power equation (as perceived by outsiders) between Aditi who had done several shows like Kaleerein, Yehh Jadu Hai Jinn Ka!, Rabb Se Hai Dua, Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 14 is well known in the media circuit and not much is known about Abhineet.
Aditi has not yet commented on the situation, so we only have Abhineet’s story. Samarthya, in defence, claims innocence and accuses Abhineet of violating Aditi’s space and mentally torturing her.
While I won’t comment on the specifics of the case — as it would be inappropriate to do so in an ex-parte manner — I can offer some thoughts on the broader social context. From a layman’s perspective, this situation seems quite far-fetched. After living together for four years, they suddenly agree to marry, and no one seems to know. The silence is puzzling.
Then, one partner allegedly cheats, and the other discovers the betrayal in what feels like a mystery. The situation becomes murky with allegations of financial demands and physical assault.
These are not ordinary individuals; they are celebrities who ideally should adhere to societal and legal norms. They often react strongly even to minor issues, yet here we see allegations of adultery and physical assault swirling around.
Typically, in reported cases of marital discord, the man is often seen as the guilty party. However, in this case, the gender dynamics are being challenged. We are witnessing a trend of men being portrayed as victims, reminiscent of two techies who tragically implicated their spouses in their suicides.
TV actors tend to project a socially conscious image on social media. While this case may be an isolated incident, it affects the general atmosphere. Moreover, it follows closely on India’s Got Latent controversy, which hasn’t helped matters.
When the celebrities we admire appear to break societal rules, it disheartens millions of Gen Z fans. Such scandals can threaten their business; after all, money talks. Negative publicity is detrimental to the TV industry, with many shows experiencing plummeting ratings like films.
Celebrities may become targets for self-proclaimed moral guardians, which is unfortunate, but that’s how the world works. The media can be insatiably hungry for sensational stories, and celebrities must navigate this treacherous landscape.