Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra Recall Their Shershaah-Era Split and Kargil Reconciliation

A Candid Revelation on the Chat Show

Bollywood actors Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra took part in a recent episode of Karan Johar’s talk show Koffee With Karan, where they looked back at a rocky stretch in their relationship. The pair, who first worked together on the 2021 war drama Shershaah, disclosed that they had separated briefly while the film was being made, before getting back together.

Tension Before the Kargil Shoot

The romance reportedly began to form on the film’s set, which was built around the life of war hero Captain Vikram Batra. According to the episode, the trouble surfaced the night before Sidharth was due to travel to Kargil for a demanding shoot. Kiara said she found his behaviour inconsistent, telling him that she could not handle a relationship that seemed to shift between closeness and distance. Sidharth responded that he was at a stage in his life where his work needed his full attention, and the two agreed to step apart and see how things developed.

A Month-Long Connection Without Signal

The Kargil schedule was physically punishing, with the crew working in isolated, harsh surroundings for roughly a month with little mobile reception. Kiara said Sidharth nonetheless phoned her every evening once work wrapped, and the two spoke for 30 consecutive days. She described that stretch as the true beginning of their courtship, saying the relationship became official while he was on location.

From Co-Stars to Spouses

The couple kept their relationship largely private before marrying on February 7, 2023, at Suryagarh Palace in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The ceremony was attended by close friends and family, and Karan Johar, who had brought the two together professionally, was among the guests.

Background

Shershaah was released in 2021 and starred Sidharth Malhotra in the lead role of Captain Vikram Batra, with Kiara Advani as his co-star. The episode featuring the pair is part of the ninth and final season of Koffee With Karan, which began in 2003 and has moved from television to streaming. The season is streaming on JioHotstar. The couple’s first joint appearance on the show came in this season.

What Next

The couple has spoken openly about the early phase of their relationship on the programme, offering a rare look at the period before their marriage. The episode is available to viewers on JioHotstar.