VH1 calls it “hotrageous couples”; we call it on-screen chemistry.  Hollywood has Brangelina and we have Abhiaish. Rumours escalating around talented and beautiful people who work together are nothing new for the 24/7 gossip society of the UK and US; what is new however is how this media frenzy from Hollywood is moving it’s way on to Indian soil.

Hollywood dubs the chemistry of their on screen actors but it’s the off screen couples that ignite the tabloid stories. The imitation of this trend in Bollywood is far from new - rather, it has been passed on through generations.

It makes us wonder why the audiences and the media industry alike are more fascinated by break-ups of co-stars than the films the stars make.  The media in Bollywood became frantic over the end of Shahid and Kareena Kapoor’s love-affair. In hindsight, Jab We Met showcased both their acting abilities; but if they continued to be a couple, would we have recognised their acting skills?

Singh is Kinng is one of the most eagerly awaited films of the year, more so due to one of Hip-Hop’s heavyweights - Snoop Dogg - teaming up with Bhangra group RDB to produce the title track for the film. The movie stars none other than Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif; it being their fourth project together.

The pairs onscreen romance in these films have propelled Kaif’s career as a Bollywood heroine in a very short period of time. The speculation about their off-screen romance has only fuelled further interest in the two. We all know that they both already have partners, but like Hollywood, the rumour of their off-screen love affair has generated ample publicity for their film. But they are not the first and most certainly not the last hot commodity of Bollywood.

If we rewind back a bit, we can more than readily pick out previous co-stars who have fell in love with each other. Amitabh Bachchan is recognised internationally as the biggest Bollywood star to grace this planet.  Yet, he is also remembered for his silent past with the former sex-siren Rekha. Their film Do Anjaane (1976) supposedly began their secret-love story, while he was with his present wife.  Other films they starred in were Suhaag (1979) and Mr Natwarla (1979).  The public and the tabloids became obsessed with the love triangle between Amitabh-Jaya-Rekha which eventually ended due to family pressure.

Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai, the first Bollywood Royalty couple have created pages and pages for gossip columns, featured stories and many more headlines. Their wedding was an extravagant affair that got even the American and British press talking about it. Starring in numerous films together (Dhoom 2, Umrao Jaan and Guru), and with plenty of rumour and speculation, the industry was forever gripped and awaiting the official announcement of their engagement.

Their latest film, Sarkar Raj displays the father-son and daughter-in-law dynasty. Furthermore, there is the world tour, as the family prepare to dominate the planet.

Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol - no screen coupling would be complete without this dynamic duo.  The record breaking success of Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995) brought a whole new fan base to Indian cinema.  They went on to smash records with Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) and Khabi Khushi Khabhi Gham (2001).  Karan Johar has lined these two in his latest project which will surely send the industry in to craze-mode.

It seems no matter what relationships co-stars have with each other, it’ll always become a public affair with the media hounding at the expense of a sensational headline.

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