Mumbai: Actor Kushal Tandon courted controversy after making a cheeky reference to his ex-girlfriend Gauahar Khan during a conversation with her husband and fellow-contestant Zaid Darbar on Kunal Kemmu’s reality show ‘Alliance’.
The exchange triggered widespread criticism on social media, with netizens questioning the need to reference a past relationship.
Many users also criticised Zaid, calling him ‘spineless’ for not responding to the remark or defending his wife.
During a conversation with Mini Mathur in the gym area, Kushal shared that he had scored a big win over Zaid the previous night.
When Mini asked what he meant, Zaid revealed that he had borrowed a cigarette from Kushal because the ones he had were “bekar” (not good).
Kushal quipped, “Tujhe saali, saari meri cheezin pasand aati hai” (You always like my things), a comment that many viewers interpreted as an indirect reference to Gauahar, with whom Kushal was previously in a relationship.
Mini looked visibly taken aback, while Arslan Goni, who joined the show as Kushal’s alliance partner, stepped in and urged both Kushal and Zaid to avoid making such comments on the reality show.
“It’s a joke,” Kushal said.
Once the clip went viral, social media users had no doubt the comment was aimed at Gauahar.
One user wrote, “This is definitely a new kind of low for these men! Comparing the mother of your children to an object. Disgusting!”
Another commented, “I think Gauahar’s husband was completely wrong. What a spineless man. How can he joke about his own wife like that?”
“The way Zaid is talking is more disgusting,” expressed one person.
“Absolutely disgusting. Girls, stay away from guys like these,” advised one user.
Another wrote, “Being a husband, how is he tolerating this?” Many also praised Arslan for calling them out instead of laughing it off as a joke.
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Kushal and Gauahar first crossed paths during ‘Bigg Boss 7’ in 2013, where their friendship blossomed into love. However, the couple parted ways the following year.
Gauahar later found love with Zaid, whom she got engaged to in 2020 before tying the knot in December that year.
The couple welcomed their first child, son Zehaan, in 2023, and became parents for the second time in 2025.
Hosted by Kemmu, ‘Alliance’ is a reality game show where friendships and alliances can change at any moment.
Last week, Vanshaj Singh was voted out by the contestants, while Ravi Kishan left the show voluntarily to resume his responsibilities as a Member of Parliament.
Following their exit, actor-filmmaker Sohail Khan, influencer Vriddhi Patwa, and Agu Stanley Chiedozie entered the competition as new contestants.
‘Alliance’ streams on Prime Video from Saturday to Thursday at 12 pm.
