23 August,2026 10:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Himanshi Khurana and Asim Riaz. Pic via X
The Asim Riaz-Himanshi Khurana chapter has found its way back into the spotlight, and this time, religion is at the centre of the conversation. Days after Himanshi opened up about her past relationship and differences in religious beliefs, Asim has responded with a strongly worded note, denying that he ever asked her to convert or change her faith.
Himanshi recently discussed her relationship with Asim during an appearance on Paras Chhabra's podcast. While she did not name Asim directly, her comments were linked to their relationship. She clarified that she would not describe what happened as "conversion", explaining that her former partner had spoken to her about the positive aspects of his religion and wanted her to understand and accept them.
"I wouldn't call it conversion, but he was sharing the good aspects of his religion, explaining everything. That's a good thing. He wanted me to accept it because I saw the merit in it, but I wasn't willing to do so," she said.
Himanshi also opened up about the emotional conflict she experienced during the relationship, saying, "I felt like I was betraying my God." She recalled wanting to complete her Char Dham pilgrimage before making any decision.
Asim has now addressed the comments without directly naming Himanshi. "I never asked anyone to change their religion. Not once," he wrote in his Instagram note. He added, "So please, don't use religion as a weapon. It's a deeply sensitive subject, and turning something so personal into a reason for people to hate me is immature and only shows how low you're willing to go for attention."
The actor-model also brought up his contribution to Himanshi's fitness journey, writing, "I was the one who pushed you towards fitness," before insisting that his own career did not need anyone else to build it for him.
Asim then took aim at podcast host Paras Chhabra, writing, "To the man behind the microphone, sitting there with his stomach hanging out like a pig while making gossip his profession, brother, respectfully, I'd suggest spending a little less time discussing other people's lives and a little more time in the gym."
The exchange comes nearly three years after Asim and Himanshi announced their separation. They met on Bigg Boss 13, where their relationship became one of the season's most discussed storylines. They continued dating after leaving the show and remained together for around four years.
Their 2023 breakup was attributed, in part, to differences in their religious beliefs. Now, with both speaking about that chapter from their own perspectives, their once-private relationship has once again become a talking point online.
