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Journalism of Courage
When filmmaker Farah Khan recently sat down for a lighthearted cooking vlog with choreographer Dhanashree Verma, the conversation quickly shifted from food to dealing with emotions and feelings. The latter, who was married to Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal for almost five years, recently went through a public divorce.
After admiring her beautifully done-up Mumbai home, Farah asked, “Is this the first time you’re living alone? First, you were with your parents, then you married Yuzi and lived with him. Both of you had come to my party…”
Dhanashree then opened up about how she and her family are moving forward. She explained that things have now “settled down” between them, even adding warmly, “I am in touch with Yuzi also on messages. He used to call me maa, he is sweet only.” Her calm response revealed how some relationships, even after divorce, can continue in respectful and caring ways.
Later, when Dhanashree admitted that she is now manifesting love in her life again, Farah reacted with a mix of surprise and admiration, saying, “Firse? Very brave of you.” This moment struck a chord because while divorce often comes with pain and uncertainty, choosing to open yourself up to love again takes courage.
Gurleen Baruah, an existential psychologist, tells IndianExpress.com, “Adjusting to life alone after a marriage takes time, patience, and self-understanding. For some, it feels like a deep loss; for others, it can also bring a sense of freedom. Years of shared routines create habits that don’t disappear overnight, and this shift can feel destabilising at first.”
She adds that what helps is gradually rebuilding a life that feels personally meaningful: rediscovering hobbies, leaning on friendships, and creating new rituals. For men and women, the adjustment may look different, but the core challenge is the same, which is learning to be with oneself again while slowly embracing a new rhythm of life.
Maintaining respectful communication after divorce is possible, Baruah asserts, but it requires emotional maturity and clear boundaries. It helps when both people see each other not only as former partners but as individuals with dignity, deserving of respect.
“This doesn’t mean staying overly involved in each other’s lives; it means keeping interactions kind, purposeful, and free of old resentments. Healthy communication is about balance: enough distance to allow healing, but enough respect so that when conversations do happen, they don’t reopen old wounds,” she notes.
Dating again after divorce is often met with mixed reactions: admiration from some, scepticism or judgment from others. Society can treat it as “bravery,” when in reality it’s a natural step in moving forward. “What makes it difficult is the baggage of past hurt, the fear of repeating mistakes, and the awareness of public scrutiny. Yet, opening up to love again matters because companionship and intimacy are fundamental human needs. Moving on doesn’t mean erasing the past—it means accepting it, learning from it, and allowing space for new possibilities,” concludes Baruah.
