With Akshay Kumar joining hands with ex-flame Shilpa Shetty and her husband Raj Kundra for a business venture, we shed light on the industry's former lovers who paired up for professional reasons...

In the '90s, the industry used to be buzzing with stories of Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty's 'affair'. Romance apparently blossomed on the sets of their 1994 film 'Main Khiladi Tu Anari', and who could miss their sizzling chemistry in the 'Chura Ke Dil Mera' chartbuster? However, things soured between them and their relationship ended on a bitter note - Shilpa alleged that the Khiladi was two-timing her. Needless to say, they did not work together again.


Shilpa Shetty and Akshay Kumar

However, this seems to be in the distant past now. Akshay has teamed up with his ex-flame's hubby Raj Kundra for a business venture. Recently, the trio came together to announce their celebrity-driven home-shopping channel.

Almost seven years ago, when Shilpa was hosting 'Bigg Boss', the two had shared the dais when Akshay had been invited to announce the winner of the reality show. At that time, the first signs of the ice thawing had started to show. Last year, Shilpa had invited his wife Twinkle Khanna to her son's birthday party.


Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor have maintained their distance after their split, but will now be seen in the same film, 'Udta Punjab'

Hitlist takes a look at a few other former flames who teamed up for professional reasons...


Salman Khan teamed up with his ex Katrina Kaif in 'Ek Tha Tiger' (2012)

Opening the ex-files
Shahid Kapoor's upcoming film 'Udta Punjab' has just gone on the floors. The Abhishek Chaubey film also stars his ex, Kareena Kapoor. Though the makers are tightlipped about the project, buzz is that Bebo and Sasha may not have scenes together. What matters is that the former lovebirds, who began seeing each other around 2004 and split four years later, have decided to be part of the same venture. What happens at the promotions of the film is a long way off, but this casting raised eyebrows because after their break up, the two stars indulged in an avoidance game. At public events and awards functions, the duo avoided crossing one another. There is also buzz that it was Shahid who had suggested Bebo's name for the film. He has reportedly stated that he "respects Kareena as an actress."


After their parted ways, Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone starred in 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani' (2013). They also feature in Imtiaz Ali's 'Tamasha'

Being professional
Perhaps the best example of Bollywood ex-lovers having no qualms about sharing screen space is that of Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone. Their sizzling chemistry in 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani' (2013) after their break up is a clear indication that when it came to teaming up for the big screen, they were open to a reel pairing. The two will be seen next in Imtiaz Ali's Tamasha. Dippy, however, had spoken about wanting to gift a packet of condoms to RK and taking digs at his current ladylove Katrina Kaif during a television talk show in 2010. But post that, Ranbir and Deepika seem to have moved on.


Anushka Sharma and Ranveer Singh
Former flames Anushka Sharma (left) and Ranveer Singh will be seen together in Zoya Akhtar's 'Dil Dhakhane Do'. The two have apparently also shot for an intense lovemaking scene in the film

Fizz hasn't fizzled
Katrina Kaif played Salman Khan's leading lady in 'Ek Tha Tiger' (2012) after their break up. During the film's promotions, the makers also stressed on the former lovers returning together on screen for the first time in four years after their last outing 'Yuuvraaj' (2008). Despite their relationship having ended, the on-screen romance seemed red-hot.


After 'Aladin' (2009) and 'Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai' (2010), buzz about Riteish Deshmukh and Jacqueline Fernandez's bonding did the rounds. The two now feature in the upcoming film 'Bangistaan'
No awkwardness
Former lovebirds Anushka Sharma and Ranveer Singh who were seen together in 'Band Baaja Baaraat' (2010) and 'Ladies v/s Ricky Bahl' (2011) have teamed up in Zoya Akhtar's upcoming film 'Dil Dhadakne Do'. Apparently, they have an intense lovemaking scene in the film. The two have clearly moved on - Anushka is now with cricketer Virat Kohli and Ranveer with Deepika Padukone. Dippy's presence on the sets during the shoot of 'Dil Dhadakne Do' aboard a cruise liner did not cause any discomfort between them.

Bonding on sets
After featuring in two films 'Aladin' (2009) and 'Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai' (2010), buzz about Riteish Deshmukh and Jacqueline Fernandez's bonding did the rounds. The two feature in an upcoming film Bangistaan. Interestingly, the buzz was that Jacky was the cause of a temporary rift between Riteish and Genelia D'Souza, his then girlfriend and now wife. Gossip mills started buzzing when she attended Riteish-Genelia's wedding in 2012. Their casting has yet again set tongues wagging.

Well edited
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has got all his films edited by his ex-wife Aarti Bajaj-only for the exception of his upcoming period film, Bombay Velvet, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma in lead roles.

Never again?
Some ex-couples who are unlikely to team up ever again...


John Abraham and Bipasha Basu during happier times

>> Bipasha Basu and John Abraham - The Bong bombshell now does not know who John is. On Comedy Nights With Kapil when asked to rate John as she asked, "John kaun?"

>> Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan - This good-looking couple had a bitter split and have not seen eye to eye after their last outing, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam.

>> Aishwarya Rai and Vivek Oberoi - Vivek had referred to her as 'plastic' on Farah Khan's TV show in 2009. He had remarked, "Jaise Tupperware jahan plastic ke dabbe banate hain ... usse zyada plastic hamare yahan hai. Plastic smile, plastic heart..plastic everything."

>> Abhishek Bachchan and Karisma Kapoor - They were engaged to marry, but then the wedding was abruptly called off. Since then, they have maintained their distance.

>> Aditya Pancholi and Kangna Ranaut - The Queen actress ended her relationship with Pancholi, 20 years her senior, allegedly due to physical and emotional abuse.