Showing posts with label Hardik Pandya. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hardik Pandya. Show all posts
Esha Gupta says romance with Hardik Pandya ‘wasn’t meant to be’
9:16 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (June 26, 2025)
Actor Esha Gupta has set the record straight on her rumoured romance with cricketer Hardik Pandya. She shared that there was a time when they were talking to each other, but it never translated into anything.
Addressing the linkup rumours in a conversation with Siddharth Kannan on his YouTube show, the 39-year-old said, “Yeah, for some time we were talking. I don’t think we were dating. We were at that ‘maybe it will happen, maybe it won’t’ stage. It ended before we even reached the dating stage. So it wasn’t dating-dating. We met once or twice; that’s it. So yeah, as I said, it was a couple of months, and then it ended.”
When asked if a relationship was a possibility, Esha replied that “maybe it could have happened”. However, timing and compatibility, she shared, did not quite match up. “There was no drama or bitterness. It just wasn’t meant to be,” she added.
Interestingly, Esha had called out Hardik for certain “misogynistic” comments during a 2019 Koffee With Karan episode. “By then, I’d become thick-skinned. When the episode aired, [the backlash] didn’t affect me,” she said, reiterating that she was not in touch with Hardik when the controversy took place.
Hardik Pandya and I are still a family; we are co-parenting, reveals Natasa Stankovic
10:40 AM
Vinay MR Mishra (BOMBAY TIMES; November 9, 2024)
It is a rather quiet Saturday afternoon, with a bunch of paps waiting outside a quaint cafe located on the streets of Bandra. The reason behind their eager wait is actress and model Nataša Stanković, who is sitting with us for a chat. Nataša has been away from movies or any work for the last five years, after her marriage to her ex-husband - Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya. Breaking her five-year silence, she sits down for an interview. While she politely refuses to discuss the separation with Hardik, she opens up about returning to work and being a mother.
'I am open to get back to work'
Ask Nataša, who was a contestant in Bigg Boss 8 and Nach Baliye 9 how she has been lately, and pat comes the response, "I've been great. God has been kind. Things are slowly happening. People didn't know that I am open to work. I was not so much out there for the people who actually know that I'm open to get back to work."
'We are co-parenting'
One of the reasons behind people's assumption that the Flesh actress is not open to work is due to the perception that she is moving back to Serbia with her son Agastya. Nataša sets the record straight, dismissing conjectures that she's leaving India, contrary to widespread speculation. The rumors started after Nataša's airport sighting with Agastya, followed by her divorce announcement, leading many to believe she was leaving India for good.
“There's a talk in the city that I'm going back. (But) How would I go back? I have a child. The child goes to school here. There is no chance... That won't happen. The child needs to be here. He belongs here. The family is here at the end of the day. We (Hardik and I) are still a family. We have a child, and the child will always make us a family at the end of the day. I haven’t done that anyway because Agastya needs to stay with both parents. It’s been 10 years and I go every year at the same time back in Serbia,” she says. Ask her if Hardik and she are co-parenting and she affirms, “Yes, we are.”
'I didn't know my worth at a certain point in time'
The image of Nataša and Agastya walking together at the airport from earlier July is a stark reminder that while a lot was going on in her life, the model's priority was the joy of her son. “For me Agastya is everything,” she declares adding, “A mother will be there for you always, no matter what you do. A mother will always stand next to you. Sometimes we can't explain it. Even with whatever is going on in life, I believe that there are no bad people. It's just the souls that are lost in one way or another. I feel I didn't know my worth at a certain point in time – I would be quiet in certain situations, I wouldn't say much, I would maybe come across as – I don't care. But I've learned to love myself with Agastya, by being with him. I understood that for the child to be happy, he needs me – as a mother – to be happy and mentally healthy. So, there was no way for me to fall down. I just had to stand and be like - Nobody can touch me, nobody can touch him. No matter what someone says, the moment, you know your worth, you know who you are, and you know that your heart is clean, nobody can shake you. I've reached that point."
'I missed that I didn't do anything for the last five years'
As she mentions being mentally healthy, enquire her about keeping her sanity amid all the personal turmoil and she clarifies, “It's not that my mental health was not really in place. But I really needed to work. I feel that a mother needs to be happy for a child to be happy. That was one of the reasons I decided to get back to work. I missed that I didn't do anything for the last five years. I have no regrets in life because I have my child, and I have given the time to him. I just feel I could have. As a woman and as someone who has worked before and for my mental health, I think that (working) would have been much better. Of course, having a child is the best thing that happens to every mother and father."
She adds, "The love you get from a child is unconditional. There is no love that you can get as a child's love. I've grown with him for these four years. He's teaching me life now. He taught me how to care, how to enjoy the small things, the things that actually matter in life, how to sit back and just enjoy every second, and be thankful."
'I'm at peace with people assuming about me'
While Nataša doesn’t wish to talk about her equation with her estranged partner, she admits she likes “to be private” about her life. “Not because there is something to hide but I believe that private life should be private,” she adds.
There may be a barrage of judgements against Nataša, but she is unperturbed. “At this point and always it's people who don't know me. I don't say anything and I used to never say even before. People can only assume. It can't bother me. I am okay with people assuming, let them assume. I cannot expect people to like me or be on my side. If I want to make everybody happy, I'll just go sell ice cream maybe," she confesses.
She goes on to add, "I just want to live a simple life, with work. I know that the profession that I've chosen you are somewhere in the spotlight. People’s assumption doesn't affect me. I am at peace with myself. I'm at peace with people assuming about me. I know how much I have done in life, where I come from and nothing can shake me. Nobody can shake me."
As the conversation comes towards the conclusion, Nataša admits she has “had certain challenges at a certain point of time”. Ask her if she would ever open up about the challenging times and she says, “Maybe if I write a book.”
Are Hardik Pandya, Natasa Stankovic headed for a split?
10:56 PM
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; May 29, 2024)
In the past few days, there has been a lot of chatter around trouble in cricketer Hardik Pandya and model-actress Natasa Stankovic’s marriage. Rumours of an alleged split started doing the rounds after netizens noticed that Natasa had dropped the name Pandya from her Instagram handle. It was observed that she even deleted a few pictures with Hardik and mostly retained the ones with their son Agastya in the frame.
This stirred up a storm and gave rise to a few conspiracy theories, too. Some trolled Natasha and labelled her an opportunist, while others wondered if this was a PR campaign to generate sympathy for Hardik. The cricketer’s re-entry into the Mumbai Indians squad as the skipper, replacing Rohit Sharma, got him a lot of criticism in the recently concluded IPL.
Hardik and Natasa have been tight-lipped about the rumours around their marriage. However, a source told BT, “Tension has been brewing in their marriage for the past six months. The couple is likely to head for a separation. However, the stories around the alimony percentage are speculative and exaggerated. Also, news about this being a PR campaign is untrue.”
We reached out to both Hardik and Natasa, but they did not respond till the time of going to press.
Hardik and Natasa first met in 2018, got engaged on January 1, 2020, in Dubai, and later got married in an intimate wedding at their home during the lockdown. In July of that year, they welcomed their son Agastya. In 2023, the couple renewed their wedding vows with a gala celebration in Udaipur.
Suniel Shetty defends K L Rahul's Koffee With Karan stint: "What do you do when you have an anchor shoving it down your throat?"
8:30 AM
Suniel Shetty defends K L Rahul for the latter’s controversial comments on a chat show in 2019
HINDUSTAN TIMES (April 24, 2023)
Actor Suniel Shetty has opened up on the controversial comments made by cricketer K L Rahul (now son-in-law) and fellow cricketer Hardik Pandya in an episode of Koffee With Karan in 2019.
Rahul and Pandya found themselves in hot water after their appearance on filmmaker Karan Johar’s chat show where they made controversial comments.
Reflecting on the controversy, Shetty, on Ranveer Allahbadia’s podcast, said, “You know when that interview of him (K L Rahul) and Hardik (Pandya) came… Hardik probably got carried away. But when you have an anchor shoving it down your throat what do you do? So it is the format of the show, you get kids excited and they say stuff and then Bollywood is being banned.”
Rahul is now married to Shetty’s daughter, actor Athiya.
Suniel further added that people should be responsible about what they say and how they say it. “So I think we all, you as an anchor, me as a guest, we all need to be responsible because you ask me a question that I feel I can’t answer doesn’t mean (I should feel) that I am inferior to anybody, when that happens, that’s when things go wrong and it should never go wrong. You should have the guts to say things as they are and as they should be,” he shared.
When asked how Rahul is as a guy, Suniel called him “extremely committed”. He said, “He is one of the softest human beings you’ll come across. Also, I am talking about any sportsman, any athlete, give them their space because they all grow — situations, what you are going through at that time, all that is very important.”
HT City Exclusive: Hardik Pandya, Nataša Stanković set to remarry on Valentine’s Day in Udaipur
8:10 AM
Vinay MR Mishra (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 13, 2023)
Three years after they became husband and wife, Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya and actor-model Nataša Stanković Pandya are set to get married again. But, unlike their earlier, low-key court marriage, this one will be a grand affair. We have exclusively learnt that the couple will remarry in a traditional ceremony on Valentine’s Day (February 14) in Udaipur, Rajasthan.
A reliable source tells us, “They got married in a court back then. Everything happened in a rush. The idea of having a lavish wedding has been on their minds ever since. They are very excited about it.”
From what we have gathered, the wedding festivities kick-start today and will go on till February 16. While a white wedding has been planned, pre-wedding festivities such as haldi, mehendi and sangeet will be held with much gusto, says the source. Preparations for the ceremony commenced in November last year.
We’ve also learnt that the bride will wear a pristine white Dolce & Gabbana gown for the ceremony. However, all other details are yet unclear.
Hardik, 29, and Nataša, 30, got married in an intimate ceremony on May 31, 2020. They welcomed with their son, Agastya, in July that year.
We were unable to reach out to the couple for a comment till the time of going to press.
I stopped doing shows for two years after my brutal yacht fashion show-Masaba Gupta
9:17 AM
As her eponymous series earns her Best Actor (Series) nomination at mid-day and Radio City Hitlist OTT Awards, Masaba Gupta talks about how the climax was inspired by her ill-fated fashion gala
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; January 25, 2021)
Though assumed to be a popcorn entertainer, Masaba Masaba challenged the unrealistic beauty standards set by society and the stigma surrounding a failed marriage. The autobiographical series also gave us a confident actor in couturier Masaba Gupta. "Initially, I assumed it would be like Keeping Up With The Kardashians, and was instantly uncomfortable about a camera following me around. But a large chunk of the show is scripted, and that made me say yes to it. We took a year to put the project together," begins Gupta, who has earned a nomination in the Best Actor (Series) category at the mid-day and Radio City Hitlist OTT Awards.
Ashwini Yardi that she wouldn’t cross a few lines. "I don't care much for my imagery, nor does my mother [Neena Gupta]. But we didn't want to compromise on others’ privacy. I was waiting for people to pass it off as an average show. What presumably worked was us taking a dig at ourselves."
The climax depicts Gupta picking up the pieces after her fashion show turns out to be a disaster. Ask her if the sequence was inspired by one of her real-life events, and she recounts, "A few years ago, I had done a show on a yacht. The place was suffering from overcapacity, and people were stuck on the lower decks. Almost 70 people were stuck on the landing area, trying to get on board. When the yacht began moving, people got sea-sick. Hardik [Pandya] was our show-stopper. It was a brutal experience; I stopped doing shows for two years after that. The only solace was that the collection sold well."
Did you know?
As a teenager, Masaba Gupta aspired to become an actor before she found her calling in fashion designing.
Cast your vote for the Hitlist OTT Awards
- Masaba Gupta has been nominated in the Best Actor (Female): Series category for Masaba Masaba.
The other nominees are:
- Kirti Kulhari: Criminal Justice: Behind Closed Doors (Disney+Hotstar)
- Prajakta Koli: Mismatched (Netflix)
- Shreya Chaudhry: Bandish Bandits (Amazon Prime Video)
- Shreya Dhanwanthary: Scam 1992 (Sony Liv)
- Sushmita Sen: Aarya (Disney+Hotstar)
- Log on to www.hitlistottawards.com to cast your vote.
- You can also vote via SMS. Send HITLIST <space> category name <space> your choice (a/b/c as on the website) to 57575.
- Voting lines close on February 9
Hardik Pandya, Natasa Stankovic welcome baby boy
8:23 AM
MUMBAI MIRROR (July 31, 2020)
On Thursday, around 4 pm, Hardik Pandya took to the social media to inform that he and Natasa Stankovic were blessed with a baby boy, along with a picture of the newborn holding his finger. While everyone is tight-lipped, reportedly their son was born at a hospital near Anand, on the outskirts of Vadodara, in the morning.The announcement comes exactly two months after the duo first shared news of the pregnancy. Sharing pics from a baby shower, Hardik had written, “Together we are excited to welcome a new life into our lives”.
The couple has had several photoshoots since. Their social media accounts are replete with loved-up pics of Natasa flaunting her bump and the cricketer looking suitably smitten. He had taken everyone by surprise when he posted pictures with the Serbian model-actress from their Dubai vacation, stating that he was starting the year with his “firework”. A day later, they announced their engagement.
A month later, on February 14, Hardik described his fiancée as his “Valentine for life”. Now, with their son, the happy family picture is complete.
Baby on the way for Hardik Pandya and Natasa Stankovic
8:21 AM
Couple commit to togetherness; baby on the way
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 1, 2020)
The last season of Nach Baliye saw the reunion of several exes, one of them being Natasa Stankovic and Aly Gony. But soon after curtains came down on the dance reality show, the rumour mills were buzzing about a new romance.On December 31, cricketer Hardik Pandya posted a picture with the Serbian model-actress from their Dubai vacation, stating that he was starting the year with his “firework”. A day later, the duo announced their engagement, with Natasa flashing her diamond ring. A month later, on February 14, Hardik described his fiancée as his “valentine for life”.
Since then, 2020 may have thrown a fair bit of surprises at the world, but for the Indian all-rounder, it has all gone as planned. In fact, even better. Hardik, who was known to play the field, has been playing a steady innings over the last few months, posting regular updates about their life together in Mumbai, be it celebrating Holi with his cricketer-brother Krunal, and his better half, Pankhuri Sharma, or lighting candles together to lend support to frontline workers of Coronavirus pandemic.
On Sunday, the batsman, who likes hitting chaukas and chhakkas, hit the country for a six by posting a picture of him and Natasa and announcing that they have a baby on the way. “Together we are excited to welcome a new life into our lives very soon. We are thrilled for this new phase of our life,” they wrote on their social media accounts, and switched off their phones.Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli congratulated his teammate, “for the 3rd member of your clan”, as did coach Ravi Shastri and bowler Yuzvendra Chahal. Natasa’s ex-boyfriend, Aly, was among the first to comment. “God blesssss u guys,” he wrote. Actor Karan Tacker, who also congratulated the winsome twosome, told Mirror, “So of course, the good news comes as a surprise. I am extremely happy for the couple and wish them the best in this beautiful journey ahead.”
I feel responsible-Karan Johar on the Hardik Pandya and K L Rahul controversy
8:28 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (January 24, 2019)
Cricketers Hardik Pandya and K L Rahul have been making headlines for all the wrong reasons ever since they made an appearance on Karan Johar’s chat show Koffee With Karan Season 6. Since the episode aired, the two have received a lot of flak and criticism for their sexist comments. They have also been suspended, pending investigation. Now, Karan Johar has finally addressed the issue.
In an interaction with ET Now, the 46-year-old filmmaker said, “I have to say that I feel very responsible because it was my show, it was my platform. I invited them as guests and so the ramifications and repercussion of the show are my responsibility. I have had so many sleepless nights, wondering how I can undo this damage, who is gonna listen to me. It’s now gone into a zone which is beyond my control.” He added, “I regret what has happened to them. And, then there was talk about me actually enjoying the TRP, I don’t care about the TRPs.”
Saying that he is not trying to justify the comments made on the show, he added, “I am just saying that I think that perhaps things were said that may have crossed boundaries and I apologise because it was my platform from where it happened. I feel the boys have paid the price for it already.”
Leading brand suspends Hardik Pandya's contract worth Rs 2 crore post the controversial episode?
8:53 AM
Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; January 15, 2019)
Little did cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul know that their ‘casual’ statements on Koffee With Karan would land them in the soup. While the Board of Control for Cricket in India has put the two players under provisional suspension on grounds of misconduct, there’s more trouble brewing for them.
Says a source, “A leading men’s personal grooming brand has suspended its contract with Hardik after the controversial episode. Its loss has cost the all-rounder approximately Rs 2 crore.”
The same source adds, “His brand value has taken a huge hit with most of the other companies, who were queuing up to sign him up, disappearing in quick succession. He is currently the face for six other brands and many of them are contemplating similar action.”
Rahul’s story is no different. “He had signed a three-year contract with a sports brand and the company is already considering a replacement for him,” claimed a source.
Meanwhile, the channel has taken down the episode from all platforms and the latest episode of KWK (featuring Shahid Kapoor and Ishaan Khatter) had a disclaimer, apologising for the cricketers’ comments.
Hardik Pandya apologises for sexist comments; BCCI sends show cause notice to him and K L Rahul
8:20 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (January 10, 2019)
Cricketer Hardik Pandya issued an apology on Twitter on Wednesday, following the backlash he faced owing to his sexist and misogynistic comments on Karan Johar’s talk show. Hardik’s statement read, “After reflecting on my comments on Koffee With Karan, I would like to apologise to everyone concerned who I may have hurt in any way. Honestly, I got a bit carried away with the nature of the show. In no way did I mean to disrespect or hurt anyone’s sentiments. Respect.”
According to a newswire, both Hardik and K L Rahul were issued show cause notices by the BCCI for their comments on women on the TV show. It has been speculated that the Board is most likely to bar players from such (noncricket) appearances in future.
The report quoted Vinod Rai, Chairman of the Committee of Administrators that runs the BCCI as saying, “We have sent show cause notices to Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul for their comments. They have been given 24 hours to give an explanation.”
Karan Johar to sip 'Koffee' with cricket stars Hardik Pandya and K L Rahul?
6:56 AM
Harshada Rege (DNA; November 8, 2018)
The sixth season of Koffee With Karan (KWK) has had the who’s who of B-Town gracing it. This time, however, the show will get a sporty twist. For the first time in its five-season-long run, it will have the country’s two most promising cricketers — K L Rahul and Hardik Pandya — as guests. They are also among the most eligible bachelors in the sporting world at present. While the former is a top-order right-handed batsman and an occasional wicket-keeper, the latter is an all-rounder.
Says a source, “As teammates, they share a great camaraderie and are quite close to each other. And that surely will come across on the show. Hardik is candid, while Rahul is a tad more diplomatic.” As for their personal lives, Hardik is said to be dating Esha Gupta, while Rahul has been spotted hanging out with Nidhhi Agerwal. He, however, has maintained that she is just a friend. The source adds, “No topic is taboo on the couch, so it will be fun to see how the two players handle the googlies that Karan bowls.”
I’m not commitment phobic-Vicky Kaushal
8:01 AM
Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; September 11, 2018)
The past few months have been momentous for Vicky Kaushal. He’s delivered a sleeper hit like Raazi, his performance in the Rs 300-crore blockbuster Sanju has been appreciated and he has surprised the audience with two digital outings — Lust Stories and Love Per Square Foot. His next film, Manmarziyaan, opens in cinemas in three days. When we meet him for a chat, the talented actor is all smiles as the movie’s trailer and songs have been lapped up by the audience. Over the next half-an-hour, we talk about his role in the Anurag Kashyap directorial. He also discusses matters of the heart — not admitting to being in love but coyly dropping an indirect hint about the same. Excerpts...
Do you think this is going to be your year?
Everyone else should be saying that. It’s been a wonderful year so far. Not just because of the numbers that my films did at the box office but also the amount of love and affection that I got from the audience. It has been an overwhelming year for me and my family. My younger brother Sunny (Kaushal), who debuted with Gold, was also appreciated. So, the Kaushal parivaar is happy right now (smiles).
Manmarziyaan isn’t a typical Anurag Kashyap film...
Actually, Anurag sir always writes the films he directs. But Manmarziyaan is written by Kanika Dhillon. However, the way he has dealt with the complexities in a relationship is unlike anyone else. It was a beautiful amalgamation of two different flavours. It's a love triangle and we know what will happen, but how it happens will surprise everyone.
How many people actually came and told you that your look in the film is similar to that of cricketer Hardik Pandya?
Actually, I have read a lot of tweets and comments (laughs). It’s strange that when Sanju’s poster featuring Ranbir (Kapoor) and me was out, everyone was like, ‘Vicky’s looking like Ranveer Singh.’ And now, everyone’s comparing me to Hardik Pandya. But I take such comments as compliments.
Your character in Manmarziyaan is completely whacky. How close is it to reality?
To be honest, it is quite close. This is not me but my alter ego. If I’m walking alone on the street, I might just be Vicky Sandhu or DJ Sand from Manmarziyaan. If you play Punjabi songs, you’ll see that. Anurag (Kashyap) sir wanted me to unleash that side of my personality. When a director asks you not to hold yourself, you just go berserk. In fact, I’ve enjoyed playing this part. We shot in Amritsar for two months and it was sheer bliss.
The character is commitment phobic. Are you the same in real life?
Obviously, there have been times in our lives when we needed to take a call but might not be in a position to do so. You always have those tricky situations when there’s friction in relationships. However, I’m not commitment phobic. If it’s the right time and scenario, you can take the plunge. But if it’s too early, I don’t believe in giving hopes to somebody. You can’t keep anybody in a bubble, you have to be upfront about it. That doesn’t mean I have been running away from it or getting the jitters. The thought of being in a permanent relationship scares my character in the film. I’m unlike him.
What kind of a person are you, when in love?
I’m quite old school. I like to keep things simple. Trust, understanding, support and letting the other person be who he/she comprise the four pillars of a relationship. For me, the beauty of any relationship is when I can sit with my partner in complete silence for hours and not feel awkward about it. When that happens, I know she’s the one. And that’s who I’m — I don’t like it to be complex. I like to confront if I sense something is wrong. Communication is extremely important.
What about marriage — is there family pressure for it?
No. I’d like to settle first in a way where I feel I can support my extended family, too. Usse zyada kuch nahi hai. But if I feel like getting married tomorrow, I will. If it has to happen after five years, it will.
So, are you in love? Will you ever be open about your relationship?
I will never try to hide it just because people will talk about it. But I do feel that every relationship takes its own time and for two people to understand that it’s going to a better road or destination. Till they figure it out, it’s unnecessary to talk about it. If you start shouting about it from rooftops, the sanctity is spoilt. That’s why sometimes you might not want to share it.
Is there someone in your life right now?
(Smiles) No, nobody right now!
But we’ve been reading otherwise...
Yes, that’s what the media has been writing.
So, you’re saying it isn’t true?
(Coyly smiles) I just don’t want to talk about it.
Not Elli AvrRam or Urvashi Rautela, Hardik Pandya is dating Esha Gupta?
7:52 AM
Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; June 6, 2018)
Till a month ago, reports were rife that Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya was dating actress Elli AvrRam. They were spotted together for lunches, dinners and at public events. But like they say, there are no permanent relationships in Bollywood. The two split a few weeks ago. Our source tells us, “Elli wanted a commitment, while Hardik was looking for something casual. This led to a lot of arguments between them and they called it quits.”
Right after this happened, the cricketer grew closer to Esha Gupta. “They met at a party and hit it off immediately. The duo started chatting up, exchanged numbers and before we knew, they were an item,” reveals a source close to Esha. The couple wants to keep their love affair under wraps. “Right now, both of them are hush-hush about their budding romance. They want to see how things turn out. They make their lunch and dinner plans secretively and want to avoid the public glare. Currently, they are in the phase where they are getting to know each other.”
When we contacted Esha, we were told the actress only wants to ‘talk about work’ and she chose not to respond to our query.
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