Aditi Rao Hydari says she can be ‘platonic friends’ with an ex: ‘Went to a co-ed boarding school’

Actress Aditi Rao Hydari has stated that she believes it is possible to maintain a platonic friendship with an ex, despite the skepticism of the public. While promoting her latest Netflix India release, Lust Stories 3, she explained that her perspective differs from the prevailing narrative that such relationships are inherently unfeasible. Hydari herself credits her co-ed boarding school experience for shaping her viewpoint.

Psychologists interviewed on the matter offered their insights into the plausibility of platonic friendships between ex-partners. Dr. Ashish Pandey, a counselling psychologist, emphasized the importance of transparency, mutually agreed boundaries, respect for feelings, and reassurance. He explained that, even if intentions are genuine, ex-partners may trigger insecurities, comparisons, or vulnerabilities in current relationships.

Dr. Pandey highlighted that, although the brain does not erase emotional experiences, shared memories leave behind neural pathways and attachment imprints that can cause emotional reflexes to resurface. Hence, true moving on requires processing the past rather than avoiding it.

Clinical psychologist Dr. Ambika Chawla, from Lissun, agreed that there are specific situations where exes can maintain a platonic friendship. These include when former friends who previously formed romantic relationships decide to revert to friendship, and when neither party invested excessive emotion in the relationship, making the transition to friendship more seamless.

To create a healthy friendship between ex-partners, Chawla suggested avoiding comparisons, private meetings, discussing new relationships, and talking about the past relationship.