Mumbai: Actor Aditi Rao Hydari has shared her views on whether former partners can remain friends after a relationship ends, saying she disagrees with the idea that such friendships can never be completely platonic.
Speaking to Netflix India during promotional activities for her latest project, Lust Stories 3, Aditi said she believes people can maintain friendships with their former partners without romantic feelings necessarily being involved.
“I completely disagree with this (narrative that staying friends with an ex can never be completely platonic). I believe it can be platonic. I went to a co-educational boarding school…” she said.
Her remarks challenge a widely discussed belief about relationships and friendships after break-ups. Aditi did not suggest that every former couple can maintain such a bond, but made clear that she does not agree with the assumption that an ex-partner can never become a platonic friend.
The actor’s comments come as she continues to appear in interviews and promotional conversations around Lust Stories 3, in which she stars opposite her husband, actor Siddharth.
Aditi Rao Hydari on friendship after a relationship
The question of whether former partners can remain friends often attracts different opinions, with some people believing that romantic history makes a purely platonic bond difficult, while others see friendship as possible once a relationship has ended.
Aditi expressed her disagreement with the absolute nature of that belief, saying that a friendship between ex-partners can be platonic.
Her reference to attending a co-educational boarding school came as part of her explanation, although the available remarks do not provide the full context of her answer.
The actor’s statement centres on the possibility of maintaining a friendship without romantic involvement. It does not mean that every relationship should continue as a friendship after a break-up, since individual circumstances, boundaries and feelings can differ.
Aditi’s comments have brought her personal perspective into a conversation that frequently features in discussions about modern relationships.
Aditi and Siddharth’s relationship
Aditi Rao Hydari and Siddharth’s relationship began in 2021 while they were working together on the Telugu film Maha Samudram.
The pair developed a connection during the film’s production and gradually moved from co-stars to partners. They initially kept their relationship private, later sharing glimpses of their bond through social media posts and interviews.
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Their relationship became public knowledge over time, with fans following their appearances and occasional posts about each other.
In March 2024, the couple announced their engagement. They married on 16 September 2024 in a traditional South Indian ceremony at a 400-year-old temple in Wanaparthy, Telangana.
The wedding was attended by close family members and friends, reflecting the couple’s preference for an intimate celebration rather than a large public event.
Their marriage brought together two established actors from the Indian film industry, both of whom have worked across multiple languages and film industries.
Siddharth calls Aditi his soulmate
Siddharth has also spoken warmly about his relationship with Aditi in a recent conversation with journalist Nayandeep Rakshit.
Reflecting on how they came together, Siddharth said he believed in love and soulmates, describing Aditi as his soulmate.
“I met Adu because I believe in love and soulmates. Adu is my soulmate. If you want a soulmate, you have to believe in love. The universe is listening,” he said.
He also expressed gratitude for having Aditi in his life, saying he thanks her every day for being born.
“My life would’ve been rubbish without her. So I’m very, very grateful,” Siddharth said.
His comments offered a glimpse into how he views their relationship and the importance he attaches to their partnership.
Siddharth also referred to his career while talking about gratitude and the unexpected turns life can take. He mentioned Rang De Basanti and Safed Sagar, using the comparison to explain his belief that some of life’s most meaningful experiences arrive without being planned.
His remarks reflected his appreciation for both his personal life and the opportunities he has received in his professional journey.
From co-stars in Maha Samudram to married life
Aditi and Siddharth first worked together in Maha Samudram, the 2021 Telugu romantic action drama. Their professional association developed into a relationship that they initially kept away from the public eye.
Over time, their social media interactions and public appearances offered fans glimpses of their growing bond. The couple eventually confirmed their engagement in March 2024 before marrying later that year.
Their journey from co-stars to life partners has remained a subject of interest among fans, particularly because the two actors largely kept their romance private during its early stages.
Since their wedding, both have continued their professional commitments while occasionally speaking about their relationship in interviews.
Siddharth’s recent description of Aditi as his soulmate provides one perspective on their marriage, while Aditi’s comments about friendship with former partners reflect her broader views on relationships.
Lust Stories 3 brings the couple together on screen
Aditi and Siddharth are also appearing together in Lust Stories 3, the latest project in the anthology franchise, according to the promotional material cited in the report.
The Netflix India conversation provided an opportunity for Aditi to discuss subjects beyond her acting work, including the possibility of maintaining a platonic friendship with an ex-partner.
The project has also brought attention to the couple’s public interactions as they take part in promotional activities.
However, Aditi’s comments about ex-partners should be understood as her personal view rather than a statement about her own past relationships. She did not identify a former partner or link her remarks to a specific personal experience in the quoted exchange.
A personal view on modern relationships
Aditi’s statement adds to an ongoing discussion about the boundaries between romance and friendship.
For some people, remaining friends with an ex can offer a way to preserve mutual respect and a meaningful connection after a relationship ends. For others, distance may be necessary to move on or establish new boundaries.
There is no single approach that applies to every former couple. Whether a friendship remains healthy and platonic can depend on the reasons for the break-up, the expectations of both people and how they manage their relationship afterwards.
Aditi’s comments make one point clear: she does not believe a romantic history automatically prevents two people from becoming platonic friends.
As she continues promoting Lust Stories 3, her remarks have added a personal perspective to the conversation about love, friendship and the different ways relationships can evolve.