The eagerly awaited premiere of Homebound, directed Neeraj Ghaywan and produced jointly by Karan Johar, was supposed to bring attention to the strong film and its impressive cast Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khatter, and Vishal Jethwa, among others. But it was former couple Arjun Kapoor and Malaika Arora’s surprise reunion on Monday, September 22, that topped the evening’s gossip.
Social media went into overdrive after early footage from the red carpet indicated that Arjun had “snubbed” Malaika as they brushed shoulders. While one user posted, “Sometimes people get so nasty once they’ve broken up that you regret loving them,” another posted, “I wonder how people behave like strangers after sharing everything.” The moment was immediately branded as “awkward,” with followers and gossip columnists taking wild guesses at residual drama between the pair.
But the story soon changed as a complete version of the clip emerged. In a widely shared video, Malaika is spotted walking up to Arjun once he’s done posing with the paparazzi. The two exchange a warm, respectful hug, followed by friendly smiles and a brief chat. They were also spotted greeting director Neeraj Ghaywan together as they entered the venue.
The encounter shocked many and muted the previous negativity. “It is always awkward to encounter exes. But they seemed fine,” wrote a fan. Another chimed in, “A hug that speaks louder than words Malaika Arora & Arjun Kapoor.” Although the two came separately and socialized with different groups throughout the evening, their friendly meeting was an example of maturity and graciousness.
Arjun Kapoor and Malaika Arora began dating in 2018, after years of rumours and speculation. They gradually made their relationship public, frequently sharing romantic posts and vacation photos. However, in October 2024, Arjun confirmed their breakup during a public event in Mumbai when fans chanted Malaika’s name. He responded with a smile, saying, “Nahi abhi single hoon. Relax karo (No, I’m single now. Relax).”
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Malaika, in a subsequent interview, reflected on the incident in her own terms, stating, “I am a very private person, and there are certain things about my life that I don’t want to elaborate. I will never opt for a public platform to speak of my personal life.”
Even though they are apart, Arjun and Malaika’s Homebound premiere showed that the couple is conducting their post-breakup equation with dignity and grace — a welcome and infrequent sight in the world of celebrity breakups.
