Can you be friends with your ex? Or for that matter can you and your ex's current partner be friends? Ahem, in a perfect world, maybe 'yes.' But a definitive 'no' is what might be the reaction of most people. Bollywood actors Shilpa Shetty and Akshay Kumar defy the latter, putting their past behind and coming together for a business partnership. Shilpa and her husband Raj Kundra will co-own India's first celebrity teleshopping channel with Akshay Kumar.
Moons ago when Akshay Kumar serenaded the leggy Shilpa Shetty with Chura Ke Dil Mera on reel, it was soon to translate into real in the years to come. But the Khiladi was then seeing his Mohra co-star Raveena Tandon, and the two were as rumors suggested "engaged to be married." But there was many a slip betwixt the cup and the lip and the couple called it quits. Akshay and Shilpa Shetty were soon seen together and it seemed the Dhadkan co-stars' Dils only beat for each other. But once again it was heart-break street for Shilpa as Akshay chose to marry Twinkle Khanna.
Shilpa, who admitted to her heartbreak, pulled herself together and went on to win the reality show Celebrity Big Brother in the UK in 2007. Soon after, she got involved with Raj Kundra , a London based businessman, who she later married.
In the meanwhile , Shilpa Shetty and Raveena Tandon had befriended each other and could it be the common ex-factor between the two actresses that brought them closer? Well, we can only speculate. But from Karwa Chauths and photo ops together, the two actresses and their husbands seemed to get along like a house on fire.
Many a time, however, Shilpa and Akshay were seen on the same platform during media events. There was never any animosity or reason to avoid each other. One could only applaud the maturity with which the two remained cordial with each other.
And now, there is another 'wow' moment as Akshay, Shilpa and Raj Kundra have now joined hands to partner in business and co-own India's first celebrity teleshopping channel which will be launched soon.
When asked by The Times of India about his romance with Shilpa, Akshay admitted, "The answer is really in your question itself. It's the past. Past has gone. We are looking at our present and the future. We are both happy in our present and we are all very excited and looking forward at creating a fantastic future with Best Deal TV. Raj and I have common friends in Canada and Hong Kong. He approached me with this project and I loved the concept".
So now, you will have different celebrities on the channel who will sell and endorse brands that they co-own. Well, all we can say is that many warring exes could take a tip or two from celebrities like Shilpa and Akshay or Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor, who continue to work together and show that the ex-factor doesn't have to be the stress factor in life.
