Ameesha Patel gives blunt response to Hardik Pandya rumours

Ameesha Patel has strongly responded to an internet user who romantically linked her to Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya after a video of the two went viral online.

The actress, who has openly discussed her decision to remain unmarried unless she finds the right partner, found herself at the centre of dating speculation after footage from a recent gathering surfaced on social media.

The viral clip showed Patel interacting with Pandya at a hotel in Bengaluru. In the video, the actress appeared comfortable around the cricketer and briefly placed her hand on his shoulder while smiling and introducing him to some of her friends.

The seemingly casual interaction quickly sparked speculation among social media users, with one X user suggesting that the footage supported previous online rumours about a possible connection between the two.

The user shared the video along with a caption claiming that Patel’s gesture towards Pandya appeared romantic and suggested that “Reddit rumours” about the pair might be true.

Patel was quick to respond to the speculation and appeared unimpressed by the suggestion that a friendly interaction should automatically be interpreted as romantic.

Sharing a screenshot of the post on her Instagram Stories, the 50-year-old actress delivered a sarcastic response to the user. She questioned whether the person making the assumption had ever had a female friend, suggesting that someone who immediately interpreted a simple gesture as romantic might not be familiar with normal friendships between men and women.

Her response made it clear that she did not appreciate being romantically connected to Pandya simply because they were seen interacting at a social event.

The actress has previously spoken candidly about marriage and relationships, making it clear that she is not opposed to marriage itself. Instead, Patel has said that she would consider settling down if she met someone she genuinely believed was worthy of becoming her life partner.

During a podcast appearance last year, the Humraaz star explained that she remains open to finding love but wants a partner who can support her consistently and understand her ambitions. She also revealed that she continues to receive marriage proposals from well-established families and has even been approached by men considerably younger than her.

Patel stressed that age is not necessarily an indication of maturity. According to the actress, she would rather be with someone who possesses emotional and mental maturity than someone who is simply older.

While Patel has made her views on marriage clear, there is currently no indication that her interaction with Pandya was anything more than a friendly encounter. Her latest reaction appears to have been aimed at putting an end to the speculation and discouraging people from reading romantic meaning into an ordinary social interaction.

Pandya, meanwhile, has also attracted considerable attention for his personal life in recent years. The Indian all-rounder was previously married to Serbian model and actress Natasha Stankovic. The couple tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in 2020 and later welcomed their son, Agastya.

After several years together, Pandya and Stankovic announced their separation in 2024. Despite ending their marriage, the former couple have continued to co-parent their son.

Pandya has since been linked to model Mahieka Sharma. The two were first connected publicly after reportedly being spotted together in October 2025, which led to growing speculation about their relationship.

Against that backdrop, the latest rumours involving Patel appear to have emerged solely from her interaction with Pandya at the Bengaluru gathering. Patel’s blunt response, however, suggests that she has no intention of allowing casual moments with male friends or acquaintances to become the basis for dating rumours.

For now, neither the actress nor the cricketer has indicated that they share a romantic relationship, leaving the viral speculation without any confirmed basis.