Farhan Akhtar and Kalki Koechlin had once been rumored to be connected, but it was merely through tabloid gossip. Kalki herself jokingly narrated in her interview with Mashable that the media had a field day speculating over their relationship, even saying that they were moving in together. She narrated a funny anecdote about Farhan, who, in one of his light-hearted moments, had called her to jokingly suggest that if they were to “move in together,” they should at least agree on something as simple as the color of the walls. This was, of course, a playful way of addressing the wild rumors that were circulating at the time.
The two had excellent professional chemistry, especially on their film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, for Zoya Akhtar, directed in 2011; Kalki was to play the fiancée of Abhay Deol, whereas Farhan played one of the leads. He is also one of the producers of the film with Ritesh Sidhwani on board with their production company Excel Entertainment. Their collaboration did not end there; Kalki worked on several projects produced under the banner of Excel Entertainment, including Gully Boy (2019), Made in Heaven (2019), and Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (2023). So, as much as there were news about them being in love, they have always had the best professional relationship.
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On a personal note, Kalki Koechlin was married to filmmaker Anurag Kashyap in 2011, whom she met on the sets of Dev.D. They had a marriage that lasted for about two years before they separated in 2015. Kalki became a mother in 2020 to her daughter, Sappho, with her boyfriend, Israeli musician Guy Hershberg.
Farhan Akhtar was also married to hairstylist Adhuna Bhabani for 16 years before the couple separated in 2017. Farhan and Adhuna have two daughters, Shakya and Akira. Since divorcing his wife, Farhan fell in love with an actor, Shibani Dandekar whom he married in 2022. Farhan is also very active and soon to be seen on-screen in the war drama, 120 Bahadur, and behind the cameras once again, as director with Don 3 which will further cement Farhan’s position as being among the most versatile performers to come out of Bollywood.
The story of Kalki and Farhan reminds us of how media speculation always blurs the lines between personal and professional lives, especially when two successful charismatic individuals are working together. And so, it has been in their case, as all tabloid rumors notwithstanding, it’s clear that the relationship between them has been respectful and friendly in the professional and personal spheres.