Cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal recently broke his silence on persistent relationship rumors with RJ Mahavash, clarifying their bond and detailing the severe impact of online speculation on both of them, particularly Mahavash.
Setting the Record Straight
During a candid chat on Raj Shamani’s podcast, Yuzvendra Chahal directly addressed the swirling gossip about him and RJ Mahavash. He stated it was the first time he’d been publicly linked with someone, leading to widespread speculation and trending topics online.
Chahal took a pragmatic view of the situation, remarking, “We can’t start crying, if people link us up then so be it.” However, he also revealed the significant distress these false narratives caused.
The Toll of Trolling
The cricketer expressed deep concern over the abuse RJ Mahavash endured due to the baseless rumors. She faced harsh labels like “homewrecker” and “house-breaker” on social media.
Chahal highlighted how difficult it was for Mahavash to read such vile comments daily. He felt particularly bad, noting that the very friend who had helped him through a challenging phase was now being unfairly linked to him and maligned.
Friendship Misunderstood
Chahal recounted instances where innocent outings with friends were twisted into “dinner dates” for him and Mahavash. Even when they were part of a larger group, photos were selectively cropped to focus only on the two of them.
This constant misrepresentation reached a point where they hesitated to go out together, fearing yet another speculative story. The private nature of their friendship was completely overshadowed by public scrutiny.
Navigating Public Scrutiny
While Chahal, being a public figure, is accustomed to social media’s darker side, this level of intense and false scrutiny was new for Mahavash. Her professional work heavily relies on online presence, making it impossible to ignore the barrage of negative comments.
She expressed her distress to Chahal, questioning why she was being subjected to such accusations. Her family also started questioning her, adding to the pressure. Chahal tried to advise her to ignore it, but acknowledged the difficulty in doing so when one’s entire work is online.
The Hotel Incident
Chahal recalled a specific incident at JW Marriott. Mahavash offered to drop him at the airport after a shoot since she was nearby. While waiting for the valet, someone clicked a photo, which was then severely misconstrued.
The picture, showing Chahal merely adjusting his hair, was presented with “cheap” implications about their presence at a hotel. Chahal emphasized how distasteful and unfair such accusations were, especially for a woman, highlighting the harsher judgment women often face in India.
- Yuzvendra Chahal firmly denied relationship rumors with RJ Mahavash, stating they are just friends.
- Mahavash faced severe online abuse, including being called a “homewrecker,” causing her significant distress.
- Chahal clarified that Mahavash was a supportive friend during a difficult period in his life.
- Media outlets often cropped photos of them together, misrepresenting their innocent outings with friends.
- Chahal highlighted the unfair and “cheap” accusations directed at Mahavash, emphasizing the disproportionate impact on women in such situations.
Chahal’s statements shed light on the challenges faced by public figures and their friends, urging for more responsible reporting and less baseless speculation.
