The off-screen friendship between Suman Indori stars Zain Imam and Ashnoor Kaur has been a highlight for fans, visible in their playful social media interactions, behind-the-scenes camaraderie, and heartfelt gestures, such as Zain’s birthday post for Ashnoor on May 3, 2025. With the show concluding on April 27, 2025, after over 230 episodes, a key question arises: will their bond endure or fade, given the perception that many industry relationships are primarily work-driven?
The Zain Imam and Ashnoor Kaur Friendship
Zain Imam (Teerth Mittal) and Ashnoor Kaur (Suman Sharma Mittal) share not just a friendship but a strong, enduring bond that developed during Suman Indori’s run from September 2024 to April 2025. Their chemistry, both on-screen and off-screen, was a key factor in the show’s popularity. Fans adored their comedic Instagram stories, where Zain’s calm demeanor complemented Ashnoor’s energetic personality, creating a “sweet and spicy” dynamic. Behind-the-scenes moments, such as Zain sharing how the cast prepared for intense sequences, highlighted their mutual respect and shared humor. Ashnoor mentioned in interviews that their pre-existing friendship—both being Taureans with aligned vibes—made working together seamless. Zain described their bond as “like family” on set. A poignant post on April 19, 2025, in which Zain shared a photo of him and Ashnoor making a heart gesture, and his caption hinting at missing her after the show, along with Ashnoor’s emotional response, underscored their closeness as the series wrapped up.
Will Their Friendship Last Post-Show
Several factors suggest the potential for their friendship to endure despite the challenges posed by the industry:
Factors Supporting Longevity
1. Pre-Existing Bond: Ashnoor revealed that they were friends before Suman Indori, providing a foundation that extends beyond the show. This is reminiscent of Shaheer Sheikh’s lasting industry connections, such as his bond with Erica Fernandes from Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi, which has been maintained through mutual respect despite infrequent collaborations.
2. Genuine Camaraderie Their off-screen interactions, described as natural and filled with inside jokes, indicate a personal connection not solely tied to work. Zain’s praise for Ashnoor’s “infectious energy” and her comfort around him suggest a bond rooted in shared values.
3. Social Media Engagement: Post-show, Zain and Ashnoor have continued to interact online, with Ashnoor resharing Zain’s nostalgic posts. This mirrors how other actors known keeps fans engaged through strategic social media use during career gaps, helping to maintain connections.
4. Industry Precedents: Some TV industry friendships, like Hina Khan and Karan Mehra from Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, have persisted post-show due to genuine rapport. This suggests that Zain and Ashnoor’s bond could follow suit if nurtured.
Challenges to Sustaining Friendship
Despite the solid foundation of their friendship, Zain and Ashnoor may face hurdles in maintaining their bond post-show. These challenges, rooted in the dynamics of the TV industry and their differences, could potentially lead to a drift in their relationship.
1. Work-Based Nature of Industry Bonds: The television industry often fosters relationships tied to projects, as the long hours on set can create temporary “families.” Angad Hasija, who joined Suman Indori later, noted the cast’s “fantastic” off-screen bond, but such connections might diminish without ongoing collaboration.
Few actors like Shaheer Shaikh did not sever key ties with their co-star due to proactive efforts—something Zain and Ashnoor would need to emulate.
2. Career Demands: With Suman Indori concluding, both actors are likely to dive into new projects. Zain’s vacation in Barcelona post-wrap and Ashnoor’s focus on upcoming OTT projects indicate diverging paths, which could limit their interaction. Shaheer’s selective project choices led to gaps in his visibility, but he maintained relevance through fan engagement. Similarly, Zain and Ashnoor’s busy schedules may strain their friendship unless they prioritize staying in touch.
3. Age and Life Stage Differences: Zain (born 1988, age 36) and Ashnoor (born 2004, age 21) have a 16-year age gap, which, while not an issue on set, may influence their social circles and priorities off-screen. Ashnoor’s youthful energy and Zain’s more settled persona worked well professionally, but maintaining personal alignment might prove more challenging.
4. Industry Competition and Transience: The fast-paced nature of the TV industry often leads actors to form new bonds with each project. Shaheer Sheikh faced challenges during career gaps but leveraged his fanbase to remain relevant, suggesting that Zain and Ashnoor will need to actively nurture their friendship to prevent it from fading as new co-stars become part of their lives.
Industry Relationship Dynamics
The perception that “most industry relationships are work-based” holds some truth. The intense schedules of TV shoots foster close bonds, but these can dissipate once the projects conclude.