Jiya Shankar, the talented actress who stole hearts in Bigg Boss OTT 2, Kaatelal & Sons, and the hit Marathi film Ved, has always kept fans curious about her personal life. From toxic exes to swirling dating rumors, her love story has been anything but ordinary. As of early 2026, she’s been in the spotlight for shutting down fake engagement buzz and sharing glimpses of a mystery man. But what about her ex-boyfriends? Let’s dive into the real story in a simple, no-drama way.
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Jiya’s Journey Through Love and Heartbreak
Jiya has been open about how relationships have shaped her. During Bigg Boss OTT 2 in 2023, she shared raw emotions about a past toxic relationship that left deep scars. She described being deeply in love despite red flags like extreme jealousy, possessiveness, and control. It took her a full year to walk away, even needing help to heal emotionally and physically—heartbreak, she said, can hurt just like a physical wound.
She has also spoken against hookup culture, preferring committed, old-school love. Jiya believes exes can’t stay friends, calling it a major red flag. Her experiences show a strong woman who learns, grows, and moves forward.
Key Ex-Boyfriend: Paras Arora and the Kaatelal & Sons Chapter
The most talked-about ex is Paras Arora, her co-star from SAB TV’s Kaatelal & Sons (2020-2021). Rumors of their romance started on set, with reports of PDA and closeness. They were spotted together often, and fans shipped them hard.
But things ended before her film Ved released in 2022. Insiders claimed Paras was possessive and controlling toward Jiya, yet reportedly spent a lot of time with another actress, Palak Purswani. Jiya reportedly saw the hypocrisy and decided to end it. Neither confirmed the relationship publicly, but the breakup became gossip fodder in TV circles.
Other Rumored Links and “Almost” Relationships
Jiya’s name has popped up with a few others over the years, though most stayed at rumor level:
- Abhishek Malhan (Fukra Insaan): Bigg Boss OTT 2 co-contestant. Fans shipped them heavily, leading to music video collabs and endless link-up stories. In late 2025, fake engagement rumors exploded, but both shut them down firmly. Jiya clarified they’re not together, and Abhishek called it a recurring pattern with no truth.
- Ahan Shetty: Brief 2025 rumor after Ved, but quickly denied or fizzled out.
- Others: Occasional whispers about short flings or links (like Harsh Beniwal or random names), but nothing solid stuck.
Jiya has always been private, only opening up when rumors got out of hand.
Jiya Shankar Relationships Overview
Here’s a quick snapshot of her known or rumored dating history:
| Year | Rumored/Ex Partner | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-2022 | Toxic Ex (Name Unknown) | Possessive, jealous; took 1 year to leave | Confirmed toxic by Jiya |
| 2020-2022 | Paras Arora | Co-star from Kaatelal & Sons; possessive claims | Ended (ex-boyfriend) |
| 2023 | Abhishek Malhan | Bigg Boss OTT 2 connection; heavy rumors | Denied, just friends |
| 2025 | Ahan Shetty | Brief rumor post-Ved | Not confirmed |
| Late 2025–2026 | Mystery Man (possibly Kaaran Dhanak) | Recent posts with forehead kiss, hand-holding | Current (unconfirmed name) |
This table sums up the timeline—mostly speculation, with only Paras as a widely accepted past boyfriend.
Conclusion: Jiya’s Strength and Fresh Start
Jiya Shankar’s love life shows resilience. From surviving a toxic relationship that required real healing to handling endless rumors gracefully, she has come out stronger. In late 2025 and early 2026, she shared sweet moments with a mystery man (rumored to be Kaaran Dhanak, though unconfirmed), signaling she’s open to love again—but on her terms.
She keeps saying she wants real connections, not drama or PR stunts. Whether single or quietly dating, Jiya focuses on her career (upcoming projects in Tamil and more) and personal peace. Fans love her honesty and hope she finds the stable, respectful love she deserves.
What do you think about Jiya’s journey? Drop your thoughts below!
Updated: February 6, 2026