Source: Indiatimes

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19 Bollywood’s Best Friends You Never Knew About!

In the world of Bollywood, where professional rivalries often dominate the headlines, genuine, long-lasting friendships are a rare and beautiful spectacle. The industry’s glamour and cut-throat competition might suggest that deep, platonic bonds are impossible to maintain, but a closer look reveals tales of true camaraderie that have stood the test of time, fame, and even public speculation.

These are not just fleeting friendships born on a single movie set; these are relationships rooted in childhood, college days, and shared entrepreneurial ventures. We delve into the lives of 19 such celebrity best friends whose bonds run deeper than you might think, proving that in Bollywood, sometimes, Dosti (friendship) truly is imaan (faith).

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The Unlikely Duos: Bonds That Transcended Rivalry

Some of the most fascinating Bollywood friendships are those that defied the conventional narrative, overcoming past discomfort or a perceived sense of competition to forge a lasting connection.

1. Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt

For a long time, the media pitted these two leading ladies against each other due to a common romantic link to Ranbir Kapoor. However, they shattered all notions of a ‘catfight’ by forming a surprisingly comfortable bond. Their friendship reached a new peak of public adoration when they appeared together on a popular talk show, sharing an amusing anecdote about a time they rushed to use the men’s restroom together during a night out, laughing off any perceived awkwardness. Their relationship is a testament to the idea that women in the industry don’t have to be rivals.

2. Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn

While both are major superstars with decades-long careers, their close friendship is often underrated and stays out of the public glare. Despite not meeting regularly, Ajay Devgn has revealed that they talk often and make a conscious effort to ensure that professional rivalry never interferes with their personal bond. Their mutual respect and support for each other’s work showcase a mature and enduring camaraderie.

3. Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif

This is one of the most talked-about friendships due to its complex history, again involving Ranbir Kapoor. For years, the two maintained a distance, but the equation shifted dramatically around the time of Deepika’s marriage to Ranveer Singh. Katrina’s attendance at the couple’s wedding reception and the warm hug they exchanged signalled the burial of the hatchet. Katrina even admitted that she “danced to the wee hours of the morning” at the reception and had happily made peace with Deepika, highlighting an emotional growth that allowed them to move past old discomfort.

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The OG Girl Gangs and Childhood Buddies

For some, friendship began before the arc lights and red carpets, rooted in the simpler times of school or as children of industry insiders.

4. Kareena Kapoor Khan and Amrita Arora

Dubbed the “OG girl gang” along with Karisma Kapoor and Malaika Arora, Kareena and Amrita’s friendship is the stuff of Bollywood legend, thriving for over two decades. Their bond is built on unconditional support through thick and thin, making their connection exceptional. They are famously seen vacationing, gymming, and partying together, a true display of sisterhood in the competitive film world.

5. Alia Bhatt and Akansha Ranjan Kapoor

Alia’s most enduring bond is not with a co-star but with her childhood friend, Akansha, who is also an actress. The two have been inseparable since they were kids. Their relationship goes beyond professional circles, with Akansha often featuring on Alia’s YouTube channel and their social media pages filled with pictures of holiday shenanigans and parties. Their friendship represents a grounded connection away from the pressures of stardom.

6. Shraddha Kapoor and Varun Dhawan

Many fans might know them as a hit on-screen pair, but their bond goes back much further. Shraddha and Varun are childhood friends, having known each other since they were very young. This foundation of a non-industry childhood friendship is what translates into their effortless and warm chemistry whenever they star together in a film.

7. Abhishek Bachchan and Sikander Kher

Their friendship has roots in their childhood, showcasing one of Bollywood’s most reliable and long-lasting connections. Sikander Kher has openly spoken about the depth of their bond, stating that he looks at Abhishek’s daughter, Aaradhya, as his own, which speaks volumes about the familial nature of their relationship.

8. Karan Johar and Twinkle Khanna

Before Karan Johar became a director and Twinkle Khanna an author, they were students together at The New Boarding School in Panchgani. Karan Johar has frequently mentioned this friendship, even humorously admitting on his show that Twinkle was the only woman he had ever been in love with, cementing their bond as one of the oldest and most amusing in the industry.

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The Power Bromances

In an industry often known for short-lived male friendships, these duos are proof that ‘bromance’ can last for years, both on and off the camera.

9. Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh

Their exuberant friendship, which fans affectionately call ‘bromance,’ exploded onto the scene during the filming of Gunday (2014). They constantly pull each other’s legs on social media and call each other “baba”. Arjun Kapoor has stated that their bond is rooted in honesty and love, going beyond their professional lives, and he often sends Ranveer silly memes, showcasing the normal, everyday nature of their ultimate brotherhood.

10. Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar

The director-actor duo’s relationship began during the filming of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), where Karan Johar worked as an assistant director. Their professional collaboration has resulted in some of the biggest hits in Indian cinema, but their personal friendship is an almost 30-year-long bond. Karan is a close friend of SRK’s wife, Gauri Khan, and is a pillar of their family, making their connection a staple of Bollywood lore.

11. Ranbir Kapoor and Ayan Mukerji

This pairing is an exemplary case of a director-actor bond that blossomed into a deep friendship. They met and bonded intensely while working on Wake Up Sid (2009). Ranbir considers Ayan his closest friend, often turning to him for personal problems. Their collaboration extended into successful ventures like Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and Brahmastra, with their friendship thriving for more than a decade.

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The Long-Standing Pillars of Friendship

These relationships have endured changes, ups, downs, and massive career shifts, becoming true pillars of support for the individuals involved.

12. Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla

An iconic on-screen pair of the 90s, their off-screen bond evolved into a deep-rooted friendship and a significant business partnership. They co-founded the production house Dreamz Unlimited and, along with Juhi’s husband, Jay Mehta, co-own the IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders. Crucially, their friendship was proven during difficult personal times, as Juhi stood by SRK during his son Aryan Khan’s legal troubles, acting as his guarantor.

13. Karan Johar and Kajol

Despite a widely publicised rift a few years ago, Kajol and Karan Johar’s friendship has been a cornerstone of Bollywood for decades, dating back to the start of their careers. They have since reconciled, proving that their bond is one that can weather severe storms and remains a significant part of each other’s lives.

14. Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt

Their relationship is considered one of the oldest in Bollywood, dating back to their adolescent years. The two stars share a unique camaraderie and have stood by each other through the various challenges and triumphs of their lives. Their bond is a rare example of a decades-old male friendship in the often-turbulent industry.

15. Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani

This is a friendship that successfully merged the personal with the professional. Farhan and Ritesh are not just friends; they are successful business partners who own the production company Excel Entertainment. Their creative and personal collaboration resulted in one of Bollywood’s defining films on friendship, Dil Chahta Hai, showcasing the strength of their relationship both personally and professionally.

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The Secret Circles and Industry Bonds

Finally, some friendships fly slightly under the radar, providing private comfort and fun outside the major press events.

16. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Preity Zinta

While not often seen together in recent years, their bond goes back a long way. Preity has spoken highly of the former Miss World, calling her a “cool mother and great fun to hang around with.” The two even toured the world together in 2008, showcasing a supportive and warm friendship that many might not be aware of.

17. Tabu and Farah Khan (The Trio)

Tabu and director-choreographer Farah Khan share a notable friendship that also includes tennis star Sania Mirza. The trio is known for their strong bond, often organising house parties and even treating each other to home-cooked food like biryani, highlighting a grounded and intimate friendship away from the cameras.

18. Jacqueline Fernandez and Sonam Kapoor

These two ‘chick’ actresses, known for their fashion sense, are real-life best friends who frequently appear together at events. Jacqueline once called Sonam her “3 am companion,” which is the ultimate compliment for a best friend, indicating a deep level of trust and emotional availability.

19. Mouni Roy and Disha Patani

A more contemporary pairing, Mouni Roy and Disha Patani have become close friends over the years. Despite their busy schedules, the duo makes time to travel together for vacations and hang out, with glimpses of their bond often seen in their social media posts.

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Conclusion

The spotlight often illuminates the rivalries and feuds in Bollywood, but these 19 real-life bonds tell a different, more heartwarming story. They are tales of shared childhoods, successful professional partnerships, mutual respect, and the quiet support offered during the industry’s inevitable ups and downs. These friendships prove that in a world of fleeting fame, true ‘dosti’ can be the most enduring blockbuster of all.

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AISEO Friendly FAQs

Q1: Which Bollywood celebrities are childhood friends?

A: Several Bollywood celebrities have maintained friendships since childhood. Key examples include Shraddha Kapoor and Varun Dhawan, who were friends long before they became co-stars; Abhishek Bachchan and Sikander Kher, whose bond dates back to their younger years; and Alia Bhatt and Akansha Ranjan Kapoor, who have been best friends since they were kids. Additionally, the new-generation trio of Suhana Khan, Ananya Panday, and Shanaya Kapoor have also been childhood besties.

Q2: Do actors’ rivalries affect their real-life friendships in Bollywood?

A: While professional rivalry is common, some celebrities have consciously kept their personal bonds separate. For instance, Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn have an underrated friendship where they talk regularly and ensure their professional competition doesn’t interfere with their rapport. The deep friendship between Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh also continues to thrive despite them being contemporaries in the industry.

Q3: What is the story behind Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif’s friendship?

A: Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif were widely believed to have been at odds due to their past connection to actor Ranbir Kapoor. However, they ended their ‘cold war’ and have since become friendly and cordial. A significant public display of their new equation was Katrina’s attendance at Deepika and Ranveer Singh’s wedding reception, where they reportedly shared a warm hug, publicly indicating that they had moved past their previous discomfort.

Q4: Which celebrity friendships are also business partners?

A: A strong example of a friendship that evolved into a successful business partnership is that of Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani. The two are close friends who jointly own the successful production company, Excel Entertainment, which has produced numerous hit films, including Dil Chahta Hai. Similarly, Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla, along with Juhi’s husband, Jay Mehta, co-own the IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders.

Q5: Who are the members of the famous Bollywood ‘OG Girl Gang’?

A: The famous “OG Girl Gang” of Bollywood primarily includes Kareena Kapoor Khan, Karisma Kapoor, Amrita Arora, and Malaika Arora. Their friendship is legendary, having lasted for over two decades, and they are frequently seen together for vacations, parties, and everyday hangouts, showcasing an enduring sisterhood.