Dhanashree Verma, the choreographer and digital content creator, has recently been making headlines as she speaks candidly about her past marriage with Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal. Their relationship, which began during the COVID-19 lockdown with online dance sessions, culminated in a divorce in March 2025, and the aftermath continues to draw public attention.
Verma, who is currently appearing on the reality show "Rise and Fall," has openly discussed her personal life, including the marriage and subsequent divorce. In a recent episode, she engaged in a conversation with actor Arjun Bijlani, where she described her marriage to Chahal as a mix of love and arrangement, stating that Chahal wanted to marry without dating, and she initially had no plans for marriage. She admitted to being swayed by the affection and warmth she received during that time, which ultimately led her to agree to the wedding.
However, Verma revealed that she began noticing changes in Chahal's behavior soon after their marriage in December 2020. In a conversation with actress Kubbra Sait on "Rise and Fall", Verma claimed that she "caught him in the second month," implying infidelity. This revelation left Sait visibly shocked. Verma initiated the divorce, a decision she says she doesn't regret.
Verma has also addressed the emotional toll of the separation. She recounted how she broke down during the final verdict, despite being mentally prepared. In a podcast with Humans of Bombay, she remembered "I started howling in front of everybody. I couldn't even express what I was feeling at that point. He (Chahal) walked out first".
Since appearing on "Rise and Fall", Dhanashree has faced online criticism, with some accusing her of repeatedly bringing up Chahal's name to gain sympathy and suggesting her emotional reactions are staged for attention. Despite the trolling, Chahal has remained silent on the matter.
Verma has also addressed rumors of demanding alimony, clarifying that the divorce was mutual, and there was no question of alimony. She emphasized that she only feels the need to justify herself to those she cares about.
In the wake of the divorce, Chahal was seen enjoying the Champions Trophy final with RJ Mahvash, fueling speculation about a romantic relationship between them. Meanwhile, Verma is focusing on her career and personal well-being, including making her Telugu debut with a dance-based film. She has also spoken about the importance of self-love and not giving in to public noise.
Verma has stated that she maintains respect for Chahal, despite everything. "Sabke haath mein apni izzat hoti hai, and when you're in a marriage, you're responsible for the other person too. Their respect is also your responsibility", she said. She also reacted to Chahal's post-divorce actions, including wearing a t-shirt that read "Be your own sugar daddy", stating that she chose respect despite having "things to say". She cautioned against exploiting her silence and expressed her desire to move on.
