Apoorva Makhija & Purav Jha: Let’s stop reading between the lines

When "The Traitors" India premiered on June 12, 2025, on Amazon Prime Video, it promised manipulation , strategy , and social drama . However, what it unexpectedly delivered was a bond that outshone even the show’s premise: the connection between Apoorva Makhija and Purav Jha . By the time the finale got closer, fans weren’t just watching for betrayals; they were eagerly following the dynamic between these two contestants.

Apoorva Mukhija, widely known online as The Rebel Kid or Kaleshi Aurat , is an Indian content creator, social media influencer, and actress. She rose to immense fame after her Thailand vlogs and the latent show controversy, gaining recognition for her humour, relatability, and captivating personality.

Meanwhile, Purav Jha is a prominent Indian YouTuber, actor, writer, and social media influencer, often referred to as "India’s Human AI" due to his remarkable talent for mimicking other creators and celebrities. He's also known to be a member of the viral "Funcho" crew.

The chemistry between Purav and Apoorva on "The Traitors India" was electric. Apoorva, who transitioned from Innocent to Traitor Hunter, brought a sense of clarity and intuition to her role, while Purav, one of the original Traitors, relied on charm and unpredictability. Despite being on opposite sides of the game, their connection felt profound and instinctive. It was characterised by subtle glances, mutual trust, and quiet conversations that stood out amidst the chaos of the house.

Naturally, the internet buzzed with enthusiasm. Fans began fervently shipping them, and in her vlog, Apoorva revealed that over 82,000 edits featuring the two of them were made online.

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This was more than just a fleeting crush; viewers genuinely believed there was something real between them. For a time, the show seemed less focused on betrayal and more like the unfolding love story of Purav and Apoorva—a connection so intense that it blurred the lines between gameplay and genuine emotion. They carried the show on their shoulders, and fans even dubbed it "The Purav and Apoorva Show." Despite the presence of big celebrities, they outshone everyone else.

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Let's be real now. At first glance, it appeared that something was developing. There were late-night strategy discussions, lingering glances, and comfortable actions between them. To viewers, it seemed like the beginning of something genuine. However, as much as we wanted to believe in a fairytale ending, it's time to accept the reality: they were never actually a couple.

There was no romantic relationship — during or after the show. Recently, things were getting out of hand, and I saw an interview where Apoorva addressed the speculation directly. She stated plainly, “There was nothing romantic, and there never will be.” She acknowledged the closeness, trust, and warmth they shared but clarified that it was entirely platonic and they hadn't even met each other since that show. There was no teasing or dragging things out for clicks; just honesty. She also mentioned that Purav is dating someone else now.

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I genuinely respect her for that.

Apoorva has always conducted herself with composure. She has been open about her past relationships but has never engaged in attention-seeking behaviour or vague captions for clout. She values boundaries, which was evident in how maturely she handled the situation, especially when the entire internet was romanticizing something that did not exist.

Interestingly, Purav has also addressed the matter — albeit indirectly. In a recent Instagram story, he responded to the ongoing shipping and speculation, making it clear (without naming names) that no relationship existed between him and Apoorva after the show. His tone was respectful yet firm. Whether there were feelings during filming, perhaps a slight crush or just fondness, it is clear that nothing romantic ever happened between them. Purav will soon release a video in a few days regarding the traitors and the speculations following him .

Meanwhile, fans have shifted their attention to a new possibility: Purav and Dr Rakshita Singh. While Rakshita was not part of The Traitors, she and Purav have been interacting online frequently, giving off subtle “soft-launch” vibes with their stories playfully mentioning each other. While nothing is confirmed, many fans believe they may be dating now.

And honestly? I think it’s good for them — if it’s true. However, it is disheartening to see how quickly fans turn when their fantasy doesn’t become reality. Some fans shifted from loving Apoorva to calling her distant or cold — simply because she didn’t act on a story that we fabricated. And some portrayed Dr Rakshita Singh as the other woman. That is not fair. None of them ever gave false hope. Both are respectful, kind, and genuine.

We also forget that The Traitors was filmed in late 2024, in a high-stress, constantly monitored environment. People can form fast bonds in such situations, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s love. Perhaps Purav admired her, and maybe they both found comfort in one another, but that does not obligate them to fulfil a fan-scripted romance.

Not every meaningful bond is a love story

What they shared on-screen was rare and powerful, built on trust and timing, not attraction. And that’s perfectly okay — that’s human.

So let’s give them the space they have both respectfully requested. Let Apoorva continue to be the emotionally intelligent, honest woman she has always been. Let Purav move on, whether it’s with Rakshita or someone else. And as fans, let’s learn to appreciate on-screen chemistry without projecting it onto their real lives.

At the end of the day, what we saw was not a couple. It was two brilliant minds, on opposite sides of the game, offering us a connection in a world built on deception.

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It is good to see that none of these three people are acting immature; they know the boundaries and values. Apporva and Purav are still friends, and recently they appeared in an interview video together talking about traitors.