Why should Virat Anushka explain living arrangements? - Shobha De

I read a 'scoop' in Mumbai Mirror this week, confirming that Virat Kohli was not - repeat , not - living in Anushka Sharma's apartment this time! Absurd? You bet. But, there it is.

Given that nonsensical controversy that had been triggered off in the wake of Virat Kohli's unimpressive performance in England (only on the field, let me hasten to clarify!), here are two young people - a hot-blooded, successful cricketer (possibly, a future captain), and a lissom Bollywood actress, engaged in a relationship they are pretty upfront about. Along comes a fuddy duddy from BCCI, 'justifying' Virat's uninspiring cricket as direct fallout of his sharing the room with Anushka during the dismal test matches. The silly old wives' tale was back in circulation - and there were obviously takers for it. It used to be believed that men needed to conserve their sperm before a competing in a physically demanding sport. Why? Because all their energy ( taqat ) was concentrated in those two ( okay, three!) tablespoons of ejaculation.
READ : Anushka Sharma spends quality time with Virat Kohli
Once they were sexually spent, that was it! Zero energy left to save the honour of the country. I was beginning to worry that BCCI busybodies would declare that having sex during an arduous tour is anti-national... Especially if it was with a girlfriend! As if having sex with a wife involves a different set of organs! Those chaps hastily backed off when they took notice of the public's response to their crazy theory. Or else, who knows, they could have included a penalty clause in the contract ( How many times? With whom? When? Why?), instructing cricketers to maintain and submit a log book.

Now comes this coy clarification from Virat's minders that he is being a good boy in Mumbai - visiting Anushka's apartment for a couple of hours, and leaving - Scout's promise! Come on! This is so humiliating - for Virat and Anushka. Why the hell should it bother anybody where the cricketer spends his nights? Did the team manager Sunil Dev, have something to do with these nocturnal arrangements... or have the two decided to go bashful and conform? I seriously hope not. It would be such a pity if Virat and Anushka have been brow beaten into submission. They are young, adult, single and together. If they decide to co-habit, they are totally entitled to do so. Virat Kohli is one of the high profile owners of FC Goa, the Goa franchise of the football series - Indian Super League. He is going to be around... and very visible. Anushka lives in Mumbai, and I'm sure she doesn't want to sneak around corners to be with Virat. Why should she? Since going incognito is not an option for either, they really shouldn't give a damn and go right ahead with their lives, on their own terms . Whether or not they live together is strictly their business.

Unlike several Bollywood couples currently playing pretend (" I really respect himher as a close friend, but I am single..."), here are two modern individuals ready to go public with their relationship in an upfront, non-hypocritical way. Get over it, moralists! It is pretty amusing to note how polarized young Bollywood is suddenly becoming. Amusing, because there was a fresh breeze blowing through those cobwebs for a while, and our stars were finally letting their guards down and behaving like people their age do all over the world. Gone was the era of sly affairs, hot denials and a life spent in living a lie! Freed from those shackles, the brave new breed was out there, letting bold roles do all the talking. Now this! Flaunting or not flaunting a relationship is the sole prerogative of the couple involved. We are all for celeb discretion and all that.

But not when it is selectively employed . Celeb -media equations are at best a controlled war zone globally. What works best is a sensible approach based on trust and mutual respect. Celebs who understand the symbiotic need that exists, get a better deal. Those who try and manipulate media by planting stories or playing ball as and when publicity is required ( before the release of a new film), will discover it's not a one way street - respect has to be earned by both.

Come on, Virat and Anushka - show the way. Be yourselves! The runs and roles will come, whether or not you share a bedroom.