Janhvi Kapoor revealed that Shikhar Pahariya took a half-semester break from his studies in London and returned to Mumbai after his mother, Sridevi, died in February 2018. She recalled Shikhar Pahariya’s grand gesture in a recent Koffee With Karan episode.
The revelation is interesting because Janhvi added that they both were not dating at the time and she learned about the extent of Shikhar’s gesture later. She added that Shikhar moved from his home in South Mumbai to a friend’s house in Juhu so that he could be nearby her if she needed him.
Janhvi Kapoor Reveals Shikhar Pahariya Returned From London For Her After Her Mother’s Death
In a recent Koffee With Karan episode, Janhvi recalled the period after Sridevi’s death. She said Shikhar was studying in London and decided to come to Mumbai for her.
She said, “I think he was studying in London. He took like half a semester off and came to Bombay. He used to stay in town with his dad then, and he moved to his friend’s house in Juhu for like a month.”
She added that she was not meeting him every day and had discovered the reason for his move much later.
“Not that I was seeing him every day or anything like that, but later on I just found out that he was like, no, in case she needs me, I just want to be around.”, she added.
Legendary actress Sridevi died in Dubai on February 24, 2018, following accidental drowning. Janhvi was preparing for her acting debut in Dhadak, which was released later that year.
Janhvi Kapoor and Shikhar Pahariya’s relationship timeline
How their relationship began
Janhvi Kapoor recalls her bond with Shikhar Pahariya to her teenage years. In an interview with Mirchi Plus in 2024, she said that both of them had known each other when she was 15 or 16.
“He has been in my life since I was 15 or 16. I think my dreams have always been his dreams, and his dreams have always been my dreams,” she said.
She also described them as each other’s support system, adding that they had been close since their teenage years.
2023: The ‘Shikhu’ reference on Koffee With Karan
Although both the actors had started dating, neither of them disclosed it in public. It was in a Koffee With Karan episode when Janhvi fuelled the speculation about their relationship. When Karan Johar asked about the people on her speed dial, she mentioned “Shiku”, Shikhar’s nickname.
(Image Credit: Facebook @bollywoodbubble)
2024: Janhvi opens up about their relationship and breakups
In an interview with Hauterrfly in 2024, Janhvi openly discussed the early days of their relationship. She recalled repeatedly breaking up with Shikhar and then returning to apologise.
“The first two or three months, he would be in shock, but after that, he would be like, ‘Yes, okay,’ and after two days, I would go back to him crying and saying sorry,” she said.
She also described Shikhar as the only person who had genuinely broken her heart, before adding that he eventually came back and helped put it together.
“I have genuinely experienced heartbreak only one time in life, but the same person came back and put my heart together. So, it was all good.”
Later that year, Janhvi was also spotted wearing a necklace bearing Shikhar’s name at the screening of her father Boney Kapoor’s film Maidaan.
Boney also spoke warmly about Shikhar in a 2024 interview with Zoom, saying he had remained friendly with him even when Janhvi and Shikhar were not together.
2025: Matching public appearances and shared family moments
By the end of 2025, Janhvi Kapoor and Shikhar Pahariya’s relationship was out in public. They appeared together at high-profile events and were spotted together after vacations.
(Image Credit: Facebook @bollywoodbubble)
2026: Janhvi wears Shikhar’s name and wears customised T-shirts in public
Janhvi’s public references to Shikhar became more playful in 2026. In June, a photograph of the actor wearing a customised nightsuit featuring the message, “If lost, please return to Shikhar Pahariya,” circulated online.
In July, another personalised detail caught attention at Anshula Kapoor’s wedding reception. Janhvi’s mehendi featured Shikhar’s nickname, “Shikhu”, written in Hindi.
Then, in October, Janhvi was photographed wearing a customised T-shirt featuring Shikhar’s photographs.
Taken together, the moments provide a clearer picture of how Janhvi has publicly acknowledged their bond over time.
Janhvi Kapoor and Shikhar Pahariya Relationship At A Glance
| Time Period | Relationship Milestone |
| 2015–2016 | They dated as teenagers before Janhvi’s acting debut. |
| 2018–2021 | They split up quietly around her debut film. |
| Late 2022 | They reconnect during trips and Diwali parties. |
| 2023 | They attend family events and visit Tirupati together. |
| Early 2024 | Janhvi names Shikhar on her phone speed-dial list. |
| Mid 2024 | She wears a custom necklace with his nickname. |
| Present | They attend public events together as a couple. |
Janhvi’s latest revelation offers a more personal account of her relationship with Shikhar, grounding its timeline in a specific moment rather than public appearances and speculation.