For years, the rumour mill has linked Bollywood actress Esha Gupta and Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya in a web of speculation about a possible romantic relationship. Now, Esha has finally broken her silence, setting the record straight in a candid interview and putting an end to the persistent whispers.
Esha Gupta sets the record straight
Esha, known for her roles in films like Raaz 3 and Jannat 2, addressed the long-standing rumours in a recent interview with Siddharth Kannan. She clarified that while she and Hardik were in touch for a brief period, their connection never blossomed into an actual relationship.
“Yeah, for some time we were talking. I don’t think we were dating, but yeah, we were talking for a couple of months. 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,” Esha revealed.
Esha emphasized that their bond was more of a “getting to know each other” phase rather than a full-fledged romance. She explained that both timing and compatibility played a role in why things never progressed further.
“There was no drama or bitterness. It just wasn’t meant to be,” she said, adding that while there “maybe could have happened” something more, it fizzled out quickly.
The actress was clear that the relationship ended amicably, with no fallout or lingering issues. “We met once or twice, that’s it,” she reiterated, shutting down any speculation of a secret or extended affair.
Esha Gupta also addresses the Koffee With Karan controversy
The timing of their brief connection coincided with Hardik’s infamous appearance on Koffee With Karan in 2019, which resulted in widespread backlash against the cricketer for his controversial comments. Esha, who was rumoured to be linked with Pandya at the time, also addressed this episode.
She clarified that by the time the controversy erupted, she and Pandya were no longer in touch, and the incident had no impact on her personally. “That part didn’t affect me, because we had already stopped talking by then,” she explained.
Esha publicly criticized Pandya’s remarks at the time, distancing herself from the cricketer and emphasizing her own views on women’s empowerment.
Hardik and Esha move on in their respective lives
Since then, both have moved on in their personal and professional lives. Hardik married Serbian model-actress Natasa Stankovic in 2020, and the couple welcomed a son, Agastya, the same year. They celebrated a grand vow renewal ceremony in 2023 but announced their separation in July 2024, pledging to co-parent amicably. Pandya is now reportedly dating fashion model Mahieka Sharma.
Esha, meanwhile, is currently dating Spanish native Manuel Campos Guallar – the Chairman and Owner of Mabel Capital. The model-turned actress also continues to focus on her acting career, with recent appearances in series like Ek Badnaam Aashram 3 and ongoing film projects.
