It’s official. Aditya Chopra has filed for divorce from his interior designer wife Payal Khanna.

The reclusive producer-director, who shot to fame with Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, married Payal over five years ago. Aditya and Payal are childhood friends, and when both families decided that they should tie the knot, everyone was taken by surprise.

Trouble in paradise

Almost a year after the rumours of their marriage falling apart surfaced, the couple has finally decided to separate.

Adi and Payal are extremely private people and have never discussed their marriage, or their problems, with anyone barring family and a few close friends. But it is common knowledge that it is Adi who has initiated the divorce.

Six months ago, when Adi hosted a party at J W Marriott, people in the film industry had speculated it was to celebrate his engagement to Rani Mukerji. Rumours linking the director and the actress have been around for as long as there has been trouble in the marriage.

Rani the cause?

Says a source close to the Chopra family, “Rani and Adi were thrown into close proximity with Yash Raj producing a number of her films, including Veer-Zaara, Bunty Aur Babli and Hum Tum. The director has also shown keen interest in her career.

He has even been sitting in on all her script reading sessions and advises her on whether to do the film or not. These meetings happen at a five star hotel close to the Chopra residence. It’s also the hotel where he has shifted to for some time now, as the divorce proceedings are on.”

According to an insider, “Payal is being paid a hefty amount as alimony. And the Chopras are not resentful about that.”

Adi’s mother Pamela and Payal’s mother have been best friends for many years. Payal hails from a wealthy business family in Mumbai. When we contacted Pamela Chopra about the story, she told us politely, “I am not willing to answer anything. Please don’t ask me.”

Yash Chopra remained unavailable for comment.

Andhar ki baat

Says a Chopra neighbour, “Payal is an extremely outgoing person. She is very career-oriented and not at all into Bollywood. In fact, Payal has been instrumental in designing the new Yash Raj studios in Andheri. It houses state-of-the art studios, a gym, a cafeteria as well as swanky offices.

In fact, despite the separation, Payal still visits the studio every day. Yash and Pamela are said to be against Adi’s decision to divorce Payal and are supporting her. That’s why Adi has shifted out.”

Adi is currently in London location hunting for Siddharth Anand and Shaad Ali’s forthcoming films. When he returns, he will not go back to the Chopra residence until the divorce is final and Payal moves out.

source:mid-day