Jay Bhanushali on Tara's custody: 'She mostly stays with Mahhi'
Synopsis
Jay Bhanushali confirmed in a social media AMA that daughter Tara primarily lives with Mahhi Vij post-separation — and when asked if he has a girlfriend, quipped he's 'living the Salman Khan life.' The candid session offers the clearest public picture yet of how the former couple are navigating co-parenting.
Key Takeaways
Jay Bhanushali confirmed that daughter Tara mostly lives with Mahhi Vij , though she also spends time with him.
When asked about a girlfriend, Jay joked he is 'living the Salman Khan life' — implying he is currently single.
Jay and Mahhi Vij , married in 2011 , announced their separation earlier this year.
The former couple continue to co-parent Tara , frequently sharing glimpses of her on social media.
Tara recently holidayed in Dubai with Mahhi, who also gifted her a Mini Cooper .
Actor and television host Jay Bhanushali revealed details about his daughter Tara's living arrangement following his separation from actress Mahhi Vij, during a candid 'Ask Me Anything' (AMA) session on his social media account on 11 July. The actor also offered a humorous glimpse into his current relationship status, drawing a playful comparison with Salman Khan.
Where Tara Lives Now
Responding to a fan who asked who Tara stays with, Jay Bhanushali said she primarily lives with her mother. 'Tara mostly apni mummy ke saath rehti hai, aur kabhi kabhi mere saath bhi,' he wrote — meaning Tara mostly stays with her mother, and sometimes with him as well. The response confirmed that Mahhi Vij is the primary caregiver, though Jay remains actively involved in his daughter's life.
The Salman Khan Comparison
When a fan directly asked whether he has a girlfriend, Jay answered with characteristic wit: 'Kyun dukhti nas daba rahe ho... Emraan Hashmi ke mausam mein Salman Khan wali zindagi jee raha hun.' The remark — roughly translated as 'Why press on a sore nerve? In the season of Emraan Hashmi, I'm living the life of Salman Khan' — was widely read as a lighthearted admission that he is currently single. The reference to Salman Khan, one of Bollywood's most prominent and long-standing bachelors, added a layer of self-deprecating humour to the response.
The Separation and Co-Parenting
Jay Bhanushali and Mahhi Vij, who married in 2011, announced their separation earlier this year. Despite the split, the former couple have maintained an amicable co-parenting arrangement for Tara, regularly sharing moments from their time with her on their respective social media accounts. Notably, Tara recently accompanied Mahhi on a holiday to Dubai, and Mahhi also gifted her a Mini Cooper.
What This Signals
The AMA session marks one of Jay's more candid public moments since the separation was announced. His willingness to address both Tara's custody arrangement and his own relationship status openly — albeit through humour — suggests a deliberate effort to manage the narrative on his own terms. The post resonated with fans, reflecting the growing trend of celebrities using social media Q&A formats to address personal milestones directly rather than through traditional media.
Point of View
But the custody detail is the real disclosure: Mahhi Vij is the primary caregiver, and Jay is positioning himself as the involved but secondary parent. In a media environment that often sensationalises celebrity splits, this kind of managed transparency may be the smarter play — though it also raises questions about how much of co-parenting dynamics is curated for public consumption versus lived reality.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who does Jay Bhanushali's daughter Tara live with after the separation?
Tara primarily lives with her mother, Mahhi Vij, though she also spends time with Jay Bhanushali. Jay confirmed this during a social media AMA session on 11 July.
Are Jay Bhanushali and Mahhi Vij officially separated?
Yes, Jay Bhanushali and Mahhi Vij, who married in 2011, announced their separation earlier in 2025. The former couple continue to co-parent their daughter Tara amicably.
What did Jay Bhanushali mean by the Salman Khan comparison?
Jay quipped 'In the season of Emraan Hashmi, I'm living the life of Salman Khan' when asked if he has a girlfriend — a humorous way of saying he is currently single, referencing Salman Khan's well-known bachelor status in Bollywood.
How are Jay Bhanushali and Mahhi Vij co-parenting Tara?
Both parents remain actively involved in Tara's life, regularly sharing moments with her on social media. Tara recently accompanied Mahhi on a holiday to Dubai, and Mahhi gifted her a Mini Cooper.
What platform did Jay Bhanushali use for the AMA session?
Jay Bhanushali conducted the 'Ask Me Anything' session on his personal social media account, where he answered fan questions about Tara's living arrangement and his relationship status.
