Sai Ketan Rao has finally spoken about the marriage rumours linking him with Shivangi Khedkar, and his answer is clear. The actor, who was last seen on Bigg Boss OTT 3, says the two are “really, really good friends” and nothing more. At the same time, Rao has shared that he hopes to have a loving family of his own very soon. The statement comes after fresh speculation about their relationship surfaced online, with fans once again wondering if the former co-stars are planning to tie the knot.
Sai Ketan Rao Clarifies His Equation With Shivangi Khedkar
Rumours about Sai Ketan Rao and Shivangi Khedkar getting married have been doing the rounds for a while. This is not the first time the topic has come up. The two actors met on the sets of the Star Plus show Mehndi Hai Rachne Waali, where they played the lead pair of Raghav Rao and Pallavi. Their on-screen chemistry was widely loved, and soon, fans began to link them off-screen as well.
Addressing the fresh wave of rumours, Rao told Hindustan Times in an interview that there is nothing romantic between them at this point. “I mean we are really good friends, really, really good friends,” he said. He did not confirm any wedding plans with Khedkar. Still, he made it clear that the idea of settling down is very much on his mind.
“But yeah I look at a happy family. I should have a good, loving, happy family around me. And it should be happening very soon,” Rao added. This part of his statement has caught the attention of fans, who are now wondering if the actor is hinting at something more.
This is not the first time the matter has been addressed. Back in November 2025, Shivangi Khedkar herself took to Instagram Stories to shut down reports that she was getting married to Rao in February 2025. “All right guys, I think it’s high time I address this thing because all of my friends have been calling me, messaging me, asking about my marriage. No, that is not true. All that is a rumour,” she had said. She also requested people not to believe everything they read online and promised to share the news herself when the time came.
A Friendship That Started On The Sets Of Mehndi Hai Rachne Waali
The story of Sai Ketan Rao and Shivangi Khedkar goes back to 2021, when Mehndi Hai Rachne Waali premiered on Star Plus. Set in Hyderabad, the show brought together two very different characters. Pallavi was a widow who valued family above everything, while Raghav was a wealthy businessman who cared mostly about money. The show marked the Hindi television debut for both actors, who had previously worked in the Telugu industry.
The show ran for 100 episodes and went off air in November 2021. Even after the show ended, the two stayed in touch. They were often spotted together at public events and shared pictures on social media, which kept the curiosity about their relationship alive.
In 2024, Rao entered the Bigg Boss OTT 3 house. During his time on the show, host Anil Kapoor teased him about his relationship with Khedkar. In one episode, Rao blushed and seemed to confirm that they were dating, and he even mentioned that they planned to marry that year. He reached the top four finalists of the season. However, after the show ended, he clarified his position in a separate interview, saying, “We’re just good friends, I wish her the best”.
That statement led to some confusion among fans. On one hand, there was the Bigg Boss clip where he seemed to confirm the relationship. On the other hand, there were his later denials. The mixed signals have kept the rumour mill running for months.
Rao Wants A Loving Family Soon
Even though Sai Ketan Rao has denied the marriage rumours with Shivangi Khedkar, he has been very open about his personal wish to have a family. In the same interview, he spoke about wanting a “good, loving, happy family” around him and said it “should be happening very soon”. This has led some fans to believe that marriage is on his mind, even if he has not confirmed who he plans to marry.
Rao also spoke about the two-year break he took after Bigg Boss OTT 3. During that time, he watched people around him sign new projects while he was away from the screen. “Har koi bahar kuch kar raha tha. Tu kya kar raha? You are sitting idle,” he said, recalling his thoughts during that phase. Instead of letting the uncertainty get to him, he decided to use the time to focus on himself and develop new skills.
The break, he says, became a period of personal and professional growth. He is now back with new work and has also started looking at opportunities beyond the Indian entertainment industry.
Related:
Sai Ketan Rao’s Upcoming Projects And Hollywood Plans
On the work front, Sai Ketan Rao has several things lined up. He is part of Suraag 2.0, a reboot of the classic crime thriller Suraag, which originally aired on DD National in the late 1990s. The new series is headlined by Sudesh Berry, Sai Ketan Rao, and Jigyasa Singh. The reboot brings back Sri Adhikari Brothers together with Prasar Bharati and is described as an adaptation of the original for modern audiences.
Rao has also revealed that he has started auditioning for projects backed by Hollywood production houses. “So lately I have started giving auditions to Hollywood production houses and things are going in a good way. I given a few auditions and a few producers, they have liked it,” he said. This is not a sudden decision. Back in 2023, he had already expressed his desire to try his luck in Turkish and Hollywood projects.
The actor is known for his roles in Chashni as Raunaq Babbar and in Imlie, where he played the double lead role of Agasthya Singh Chaudhary. His journey from Telugu television to Hindi shows and now to international auditions shows a steady effort to grow his career beyond one industry.
Fans of Sai Ketan Rao and Shivangi Khedkar continue to hope that the two will share the screen again. They are affectionately called Saishi by their admirers. In an earlier interview with TellyChakkar, Rao had urged casting directors and creators to bring them together for at least a music video, saying, “Our fans have been eagerly waiting for it”. Whether that happens or not, the actor has made one thing clear: his friendship with Khedkar is real, and his dream of having a happy family is very much alive.
“I mean we are really good friends, really, really good friends. But yeah I look at a happy family. I should have a good, loving, happy family around me. And it should be happening very soon.” — Sai Ketan Rao
Stay tuned to VvipTimes for more updates on your favourite television stars.
Leave a Reply