‘He was very physical with her’: Prahlad Kakkar recalls Aishwarya Rai’s difficult relationship with Salman Khan and its lasting scars; expert on how to move on

Living in the same building as Aishwarya’s family at the time, Kakkar remembered how troubling things had become. “No. But I know. I was living in the same building. He would make scenes in the foyer. He would bang his head at the wall. The relationship had ended long before it ended. It was a relief for everybody; her parents, her, everybody. She wasn’t upset about the break-up. She was upset about being completely… Everybody took Salman’s side and not hers.”

According to him, this lack of support from people around her left long-lasting scars. “That’s where her commitment to the industry actually cracked. Otherwise, she was very committed.”

Warning signs of obsessive or controlling behaviour in relationships

Psychotherapist Sakshi Mandhyan tells indianexpress.com, “Relationship obsession can manifest as Relationship Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (ROCD). Warning signs that you might notice gradually would be: extreme jealousy, need to control you, isolating you from other relationships, constant criticism, high need for attention, shifting blame, and leaving you in constant self-doubt or guilt.”

To deal with the obsessed partner, it’s important to have: 

• Clarity on healthy attachment. 
• Be observant if the person is trying to control you or form a connection. 
• Notice if your individuality is respected or compromised. 
• Reflect on whether you are constantly subtracting aspects of your life for the person.
• Don’t mistake their excessive presence as a sign of affection. 

How does a lack of support or belief from family, friends, or community worsen the trauma of leaving a difficult relationship?

The receiver goes through a range of disturbed emotions, distorted thoughts, and an identity crisis while stepping out of a toxic relationship. Mandhyan notes that in a time like this, support from the environment aids healing and glues the broken pieces of their personality. 

She adds, “However, when those closest fail to offer support or even side with the other person, the distress deepens. This is often called secondary victimisation—the experience of being hurt again, not by the partner, but by the lack of belief from others. It can cause self-doubt, prolong recovery, and in some cases even push someone back toward unhealthy dynamics because they feel isolated. It leaves the person in profound betrayal/baggage that constantly echoes as ‘nobody believes me’.”

When someone loses trust in others after a painful experience, what steps can help them rebuild confidence?

Rebuilding begins with the small, reliable routines, and therapeutic support can help restore a sense of control. “A traumatic experience requires a ‘Triadic’ treatment that would involve you (self-care), your environment (support and help from reliable people), and a mental health expert (science-backed intervention),” concludes Mandhyan.