As the highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to kick off on March 22, 2025, the excitement surrounding the tournament is palpable. Among the buzz is actress Mahira Sharma, who recently found herself under the spotlight due to escalating rumors about her personal life with cricketer Mohammed Siraj.
On March 21, in the lead-up to the IPL, Mahira attended an award function in Mumbai where photographers seized the opportunity to tease her about her favorite team. As she made her entrance on the red carpet, the paparazzi shouted playful jibes, asking, "Kal se IPL start ho raha hai. Mahira ji kiske side ho aap? Kaunse team ko support kar rahe ho? Aapke favourite team?" (From tomorrow, IPL is starting. Whose side are you on? Which team are you supporting? Which is your favorite team?).
Despite the relentless inquiries, Mahira chose not to respond directly. Instead, she appeared to blush, adding fuel to the ongoing speculation about her alleged relationship with Siraj, who has been a topic of gossip for the past few months.
While rumors have been rife, Mahira’s mother has publicly denied these claims, emphasizing that the narratives picking up momentum are unfounded. Likewise, both Mahira and her mother have stated their stance on the speculation, with Mahira asserting in a recent interview, "Kisika kuch nahi hai, I am not dating anyone," translating to, "I am not dating anyone."
The playful teasing from paparazzi didn't end there; they joked, suggesting Mahira was supporting the Gujarat team, quipping, "Ma'am aapki favourite team Gujarat. Mahira ji only Gujarat. Kemcho?" (Ma’am, your favorite team is Gujarat. Mahira ji, only Gujarat. How are you?). Her silence on the matter only elevated the chatter amongst fans and media alike, stirring conversations across social media platforms.
However, cricketer Mohammed Siraj decided to address the speculation directly, although it was short-lived. On March 21, he took to his Instagram story to voice his concerns: "I request paparazzis to stop asking questions around me. It is completely untrue and baseless. I hope this ends," completing his statement with a folded hands emoji for emphasis. Notably, Siraj deleted his post just minutes after it went live, but the statement had quickly circulated online, further engaging fans in the ongoing saga.
Nevertheless, the whirlwind of rumors persists, despite Mahira’s determination to focus on her work rather than her personal life. In her interview, she elaborated, "Fans they can connect you with anyone. So, we can't stop them. Main kaam bhi karti hu, toh unke (co-actors) saath bhi hojata hai. They make edits and all. But, I don't give importance to all these things. I don't focus on it. I am that kind of a person, I never clear things. If people speak good or bad about me, I am a kind of a person who won't react to it."
Mahira gained fame from her participation in Bigg Boss season 13, and while her on-screen persona has evolved, her past relationships, including her previous romance with co-contestant Paras Chhabra, continue to attract interest. As the IPL starts gearing up for another exciting season, the stories and speculations surrounding Mahira and Siraj highlight the unique blend of sports and celebrity culture that captivates audiences.
As the first match unfolds at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, the spotlight may shift to the cricket field, but the interest in personal dynamics off the pitch remains a buzz-worthy topic, ensuring that fans will keep watching both the games and the celebrity interactions closely.
