We have seen it often in Hindi films- heroines falling for their best friend’s love or even marrying someone close to the family. But this storyline isn’t just limited to films. In real life, too, several Bollywood actresses made headlines when they married their friend or cousin’s husband, causing rifts and controversies along the way. These actresses did not just fall in love—they chose to marry the man, even if it meant becoming the “second wife”. (Image-Instagram/@rajkundraa, @bollywoodshaadi, @himeshreshamiya, @movietalkies)

Hansika Motwani, who started her career as a child artist in Koi Mil Gaya (2003), made her lead debut with the Telugu blockbuster Desamuduru in 2007. In December 2022, she married businessman Sohail Kathuria in a royal wedding at Mundota Fort, Jaipur.

However, Hansika was accused of breaking her friend Rinky Bajaj’s marriage. Hansika attended Rinky and Sohail’s wedding, and their pictures also went viral. After their divorce, Hansika married Sohail. Reports now suggest that all is not well between the couple.

Shilpa Shetty married businessman Raj Kundra in November 2009. Raj was already married to his first wife, Kavita, whom he married in 2003. Their marriage fell apart in just three years. Kavita later accused Shilpa of breaking her marriage. Despite the controversy, Shilpa and Raj tied the knot and are now parents to two children.

Actress Amrita Arora, sister of Malaika Arora, has acted in films like Awara Paagal Deewana, Golmaal Returns and Kitne Door Kitne Paas. She married businessman Shakeel Ladak in March 2009.

Shakeel was previously married to Nisha Rana, who was Amrita’s close friend. After Shakeel and Nisha’s divorce, Amrita married him soon after. Shakeel reportedly has a net worth of around ₹87 crore.

TV actress Sonia Kapoor married singer-composer Himesh Reshammiya in 2018. Himesh’s first marriage was to Komal in 1995. After gaining success in Bollywood, Himesh’s marriage hit a rough patch, and the couple divorced in 2017. Sonia Kapoor was Komal’s close relative and often visited their house. After the divorce, Himesh married Sonia, which sparked controversy and gossip in the industry.

90s superstar Raveena Tandon married film distributor Anil Thadani in 2004. Anil was earlier married to Natasha Sippy, the daughter of producer Romu Sippy. Raveena and Anil met during the making of her film Stumped (2003) and fell in love. Anil eventually divorced Natasha and married Raveena. Their rivalry became infamous in Bollywood gossip. Reports even claim that Raveena once threw a glass of juice at Natasha during a party in fury.