Mumbai: Actor and Splitsvilla X6 star Sorab Bedi has officially addressed the viral speculation regarding his relationship with Bollywood icon Malaika Arora. The rumours ignited after a video of the duo dancing and sharing a laugh at the launch party of Malaika’s new restaurant, Sweeney, took social media by storm.

In an interview with Pinkvilla, Sorab Bedi firmly shut down the dating rumours and explained that his bond with the ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’ star is rooted in a long-standing friendship rather than romance. He revealed that he first met Malaika years ago through his industry mentors, Delnaz Daruwala and Vahbiz Mehta, who gave him his first break in modelling.

"Delnaz Daruwala and Vahbiz Mehta gave me a chance to walk the ramp during my modelling days. I became friends with them and started going out for parties. At one of the parties, I met Malaika through my mentors. She is also a close friend of Delnaz and Vahbiz. Hence, Malaika and I became friends. There is nothing between us," Sorab clarified.

The actor, known for his roles in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi and Chand Jalne Laga, pointed out that he has shared photos and videos with Malaika in the past, but they went unnoticed because he was not as famous then as he is now.

"I have been partying with Vahbiz, Delnaz and Malaika for many years. I earlier used to share pictures with Malaika, but at that time, I was not a known face. Now, I am a known face; hence, it is now being noticed by people. I have shared such videos and photos before as well," he added.

Sorab expressed his disappointment over the public reaction, urging social media users to be more responsible with their words. He specifically noted the emotional toll such baseless "conjecture" can take.

While the internet was busy linking her to Sorab, Malaika Arora has been keeping her private life relatively low-key following her 2024 breakup with actor Arjun Kapoor. She is currently rumoured to be dating diamond merchant Harsh Mehta, with whom she has been spotted at several high-profile events recently.