Arhaan Khan defends Asim Riaz in Himanshi Khurrana conversion row
Synopsis
Bigg Boss 13 alum Arhaan Khan has come out in firm defence of Asim Riaz amid the conversion row with Himanshi Khurrana — saying he would sooner believe Asim hit someone than pushed a religious agenda. With Himanshi herself clarifying her comments were misrepresented, this controversy is looking less like a scandal and more like a media-amplified misread of a painful breakup.
Key Takeaways
Arhaan Khan defended Asim Riaz , saying he finds allegations of religious pressure 'very hard to believe' given his personal knowledge of Asim.
The controversy stems from a Himanshi Khurrana podcast in which she cited religious differences as a factor in their breakup.
Asim Riaz denied pressuring Himanshi to convert and criticised the public discussion of their private relationship.
Himanshi later clarified she never claimed to have been forced to convert, saying her comments were misrepresented.
Asim and Himanshi dated for approximately four years after meeting on Bigg Boss 13 , before announcing their breakup in December 2023 .
Actor Arhaan Khan has weighed in on the controversy involving his Bigg Boss 13 co-contestants Asim Riaz and Himanshi Khurrana, saying he finds it hard to believe that Asim could have pressured Himanshi on religious matters during their relationship.
What Arhaan Said
Speaking to reporters, Arhaan was candid about the limits of his knowledge. 'I don't know who tried to convert whom because I haven't spoken to Asim or Himanshi about this,' he said. He urged restraint, adding that commenting without full information was inappropriate.
Arhaan was particularly firm in defending Asim's character. 'I don't think Asim can do such a thing. If you tell me that Asim slapped someone, I will believe it. If you tell me that Asim abused someone, I will believe it. But if you tell me that Asim did such a thing, it is very hard to believe because I know him, and he is not a person who has such a small mind. So, don't spread this thing by unnecessarily adding masala to it. Whoever is doing all this, please end this issue,' he said.
The Controversy: What Started It
Asim Riaz and Himanshi Khurrana had struck up a relationship inside the Bigg Boss 13 house and dated for roughly four years before announcing their breakup in December 2023. The latest controversy began when Himanshi, during a podcast appearance, revealed that religious differences had played a significant role in their split. She reportedly said that Asim would discuss the positive aspects of his faith and expressed a desire for her to understand and accept those beliefs — something she was not comfortable with.
Asim's Denial and Himanshi's Clarification
Asim denied any allegation that he had pressured Himanshi to convert, and criticised what he called an intrusion into their personal relationship. Subsequently, Himanshi herself clarified that she had never claimed to have been forced to convert, and stated that her comments had been taken out of context and misrepresented in subsequent coverage.
Context and Broader Reaction
The episode has reignited debates around how celebrity breakup narratives — especially those involving religious and cultural differences — can be amplified and distorted in the media cycle. Arhaan's call to 'end this issue' reflects a broader unease among those who know the couple personally about the direction the discourse has taken. This is not the first time a Bigg Boss relationship has sparked controversy well after the season ended, underscoring how the show's alumni remain under persistent public scrutiny.
Point of View
Yet the cycle kept spinning — which is precisely the pattern Arhaan Khan is pushing back against. The more instructive story here is how religious subtext in celebrity breakups gets weaponised for clicks, with the actual participants' stated positions becoming secondary. Responsible coverage of this kind of story requires leading with the clarification, not the initial allegation.
NationPress
22 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Asim Riaz and Himanshi Khurrana conversion controversy?
The controversy began after Himanshi Khurrana said in a podcast that religious differences contributed to her breakup with Asim Riaz, with reports claiming Asim had encouraged her to accept his faith. Asim denied pressuring her to convert, and Himanshi subsequently clarified that she had never alleged she was forced to convert and that her remarks were misrepresented.
What did Arhaan Khan say about the Asim Riaz controversy?
Arhaan Khan said he finds it very hard to believe Asim pressured Himanshi on religious matters, stating 'I know him, and he is not a person who has such a small mind.' He urged people to stop adding 'masala' to the story and called for the issue to be dropped.
When did Asim Riaz and Himanshi Khurrana break up?
Asim Riaz and Himanshi Khurrana announced their breakup in December 2023 after dating for approximately four years. The two had first met and started their relationship inside the Bigg Boss 13 house.
Did Himanshi Khurrana say she was forced to convert?
No. Himanshi Khurrana clarified that she never claimed to have been forced to convert. She said her podcast comments were taken out of context and misrepresented in subsequent media coverage.
