A man and woman can’t be just friends, screams the recently released Deepika-Imran starrer Break Ke Baad. So, even as the film suggests this, we asked youngsters if they agree.
Shahryar Khan, a medical professional, says that he has several female friends and he loves all of them, but he also believes that friendship is the first step in love. “A successful relationship has the strong foundation of friendship. So dost ke bageir love mumkin hi nahin hai.” But he also points out that when a relationship ends, friendship is the last thing on anybody’s mind. “It is not possible. I am against it, how can you be friends with the one who hurt you the most?” he questions.
HR professional Vidushi Johari sees no reason why both can’t be friends. “Most of my friends are guys and none of them have even hinted of a romance between us. So rest assured, whatever people may believe, your best friend can be a man. But I agree that exes can’t be friends,” she says.
Friends can’t be gender specific, believe some. Ankita Kanojia, who works in the aviation sector, agrees that it’s possible to be caring even if a relation falls apart. “Who says exes can’t be friends? If both are ready to move on, why not? Today, youngsters have a different mindset, they believe in the present and if both partners feel they can be friends again, both will chalk out a list of dos and don’t in the relationship. Caring never ends either ways,” she adds.
Mohammad Ali, a professional, disagrees that just friendship can even exist today. Ali who is not in touch with his ex after a divorce says, “We started out as friends and didn’t know when we fell for each other. I was so happy to marry my first girlfriend. But, it ended on a sad note. I am yet to overcome the pain of separation, when I got to know that she has settled down. Obviously, she made it clear that she didn’t want anything to do with me. The hurt was too much. Nevertheless, to each his own, but I doubt if friends can remain just friends.”