There is no denying that 2016 was a complete and utter disaster and we should all be glad that it is coming to a close. The year proved to be extremely unlucky for celebrity romances and brought with it heartbreak for many. While there were many who tied the knot amidst fanfare, a greater number decided to part ways.
Farhan Akhtar-Adhuna Akhtar
Farhan and Adhuna were introduced by Zoya Akhtar in 1997. The couple was married for 16 years with a love story straight out of a Hollywood rom-com. They are both successful people who made us believe that you can have it all. Their split was marred with rumours of Farhan cheating with Aditi Rao Hydari. If they can’t make it after 16 years of marriage, can any of us?
Ranbir Kapoor-Katrina Kaif
Rumoured couple Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif have always been under the lens for their relationship. From supposedly getting married, to Ranbir moving out of their house, the couple has had a dramatic year. This was easily Bollywood’s most high-profile break-up this year. On a positive note, their movie Jagga Jasoos is finally releasing and we will be able to see them together again, albeit on-screen.
Angelina Jolie-Brad Pitt
Brangelina’s separation shook Hollywood and the world with it. Social media came abuzz with people expressing their disbelief over the break-up. Incidentally, Jennifer Aniston memes were people’s favourite take on the split. The couple’s separation wasn’t without controversy, with Pitt’s costar Marion Cotillard being blamed for the split. Cotillard and her partner later issued a statement denying the allegations. Brad Pitt also faced child abuse allegations and an ugly custody battle is sure to follow.
Malaika Arora Khan-Arbaaz Khan
Malaika Arora Khan and Arbaaz Khan have been together for 18 years but in true Bollywood style, no love story can have a happy end. Ironically, the couple was hosting a show called ‘Power Couple’ when the rumours about their split started doing the rounds. Malaika and Arbaaz officially announced their separation in March this year. They still share amicable relationship and recently celebrated their son’s birthday together.
Johnny Depp-Amber Heard
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s split left a bitter taste in everyone’s mouths. Heard filed for divorce from her husband of one year and levelled domestic abuse charges against Johnny Depp. A picture of Amber Heard bruised and battered appeared in ‘People’ magazine, sending shock waves through Hollywood. Overwhelming support for the actor in the case revealed people’s inability to accept guilt on Depp’s part.
Kamal Haasan-Gautami Tadimalla
Kamal Haasan and his partner of 13 years announced their split in November this year. Kamal Haasan’s daughters were blamed for the break-up as it is believed they didn’t get along with Gautami. The couple went through various ups and downs including Gautami’s battle with breast cancer. All we can say is that the curse of 2016 has claimed another victim.
Sushant Singh Rajput-Ankita Lokhande
Sushant Singh Rajput and Ankita Lokhande met on the sets of their television show in 2009. Since break-ups are always a woman’s fault, the grapevine decided to assign the blame to Sushant’s Raabta co-star, Kriti Sanon. In January this year, Sushant had stated that he and Ankita would be tying the knot in December 2016 but unfortunately, they didn’t make it that far.
Naomi Watts-Liev Schreiber
Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber announced their separation in September this year. The couple was together for 11 years and had an adorable meet-cute story. Schreiber had even talked about their first date in an interview with News.com.au just three days before announcing their split. The talented actors who have two kids together still share a civil relationship, giving their fans hope that they might get together again.
Taylor Swift-Calvin Harris/Taylor Swift-Tom Hiddleston
Taylor Swift and DJ Calvin Harris ended their picture-perfect romance in June this year. The couple who dated for more than a year seemed madly in love, but it was a short-lived love story. Taylor bunny-hopped from Calvin Harris to Tom Hiddleston, leading to Calvin Harris lashing out at Swift.
Swift-Hiddleston’s much publicised romance was even shorter than her previous relationship. It was rumoured that they split up due to Tom’s inability to commit. Hiddleston’s alleged take was that he had grown ‘tired of her’. Alas, we will never know.
Karishma Kapoor-Sanjay Kapur
Karishma Kapoor and Sanjay Kapur have been separated for a couple of years but finalised their divorce this year. The couple’s ugly divorce battle was marred by allegations of domestic abuse, ‘gold digging’, and dowry harassment. Karishma Kapoor is now rumoured to be dating/engaged to businessman Sandeep Toshniwal, while Sanjay Kapur has apparently moved on with Priya Sachdev.
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