Azhar,Sangeeta: No spiltsvilla

Early on Monday morning, the city’s social circuit was abuzz with news of ex-cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin’s divorce from current wife and former actor, Sangeeta Bijlani. Rumour mills were abuzz that Azhar is in town to file for divorce from Sangeeta.
And the reason behind the estrangement of the couple was blamed on badminton champ — Jwala Gutta. A few weeks ago, reports on Azhar and Jwala’s proximity had surfaced and sources said she was the reason the ex-cricketer wanted to contest the Badminton Association of India (BAI) elections.But in an interview with Hyderabad Times, both Jwala and husband Chetan Anand, refuted the claims saying that the couple were “family friends” with Azhar and hence the rumours.
Yet, on Monday morning buzz spread far and wide of the divorce with even a highly-placed source from the Andhra Pradesh Badminton Association going on record to a tabloid. When Hyderabad Times got in touch with Chetan Anand, the Arjuna Awardee refused to get into the controversy. “I really don’t want to comment on this issue,” he said.
However, Jwala was more forthcoming. “I have not denied that Azharuddin is a good friend of mine. However, I’d have known if he was getting divorced. I had no clue about it until now you (media) told me that he is filing for a divorce. I am irritated that my name is being dragged into this. I don’t have anything to do with either his personal life or speculated divorce. I don’t even know that he is in town. I am sure I would have known if he was here,” she said.
What made the Azhar-Jwala rumour gain stronger wind was the fact that Chetan and Jwala don’t stay or practice together anymore. Explaining the situation, Jwala said, “Yes, Chetan and I haven’t been practicing together for the past two years. But that’s only because Chetan practices with Arif Sir and I practice with D Viju at Gopichand’s academy. There is no explanation beyond this. Also, if Chetan and I don’t stay together, it’s my choice and when I think it’s the right time to talk about it, I will do so. Whether Chetan and I stay together or not has got nothing to do with Azhar’s divorce.” Though many claim that the Anands are estranged, close friends say otherwise. “I met Chetan on Thursday at a sports meet. He seemed normal, happy and content. If there was some issue with his personal life, he would look at least a bit upset,” said cricketer Venkatapathy Raju. However, he refused knowledge on Azhar’s divorce. “Azhar and I haven’t been in touch for the past two years and I haven’t heard about the divorce or the alleged affair with Jwala,” said Raju.
The man in question, Md. Azharuddin was unreachable ever since the story broke. Hyderabad Times however got in touch with Azhar’s family for a confirmation on the divorce. “I really don’t know where these rumours are coming from. They are absolutely baseless and malicious. Azhar and Sangeeta are a happy couple and very much together,” said Azhar’s brother-in-law, Khaleeq-ur-Rahman.
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