New Delhi: Actor Kriti Sanon has opened up about her views on modern relationships, admitting that she prefers traditional commitment over the growing number of dating labels used today. Speaking at the News Channel World Summit 2026 on October 24, the actor said she considers herself “old school at heart” and finds concepts such as open relationships and situationships difficult to understand.
During a session titled The Making of a Modern Star, Kriti discussed relationship red flags, jealousy, personal boundaries and the idea of finding a perfect romantic partner. She also shared her views on supporting a partner’s professional ambitions, explaining that a healthy relationship should allow both people to grow personally and professionally.
“I don’t understand open relationships, situationships, and the other 500 terms,” Kriti told News referring to the terminology surrounding contemporary dating culture.
The actor’s remarks offered a glimpse into her personal approach to relationships, which she described as grounded in commitment, trust and mutual understanding.
Kriti Sanon explains why she is old school in love
Kriti said she identifies with a traditional approach to romantic relationships, particularly when it comes to exclusivity and emotional commitment. While modern dating culture has introduced terms for different kinds of connections, the actor suggested that she prefers a more straightforward understanding of what a relationship should involve.
She specifically mentioned terms such as “benching” and “breadcrumbing”, which are commonly used to describe certain patterns in dating. Benching generally refers to keeping someone as a possible romantic option without committing fully, while breadcrumbing describes offering occasional attention or messages without establishing a meaningful relationship.
Kriti said she struggles to relate to the growing list of labels used to describe romantic situations.
“I am very old school. I am old school at heart… I don’t understand open relationships, situationships, and the other 500 terms like benching, breadcrumbing, and all of that. Mujhe nahin samajh aata hai,” she said.
Her comments reflected a preference for clarity in relationships rather than navigating a series of loosely defined romantic arrangements.
The actor’s remarks also highlighted how changing dating habits and terminology can influence conversations about commitment. While people have different expectations from relationships, Kriti made it clear that she feels most comfortable with a more traditional approach.
Why Kriti considers being friends with an ex a red flag
During the discussion, Kriti was asked about relationship red flags and the boundaries she would expect a partner to respect. One of her concerns was the prospect of a partner remaining best friends with a former romantic partner.
“I would not want my partner to be best friends with their exes,” she said.
Kriti explained her view by suggesting that when a relationship ends, both people should move forward into a new chapter of their lives. Her comments indicated that she prefers clear emotional boundaries between past and present relationships.
Maintaining contact with an ex can mean different things to different people, depending on their history and circumstances. However, Kriti shared that being best friends with a former partner would not align with her personal expectations in a relationship.
She also expressed the view that a couple’s relationship matters should remain between the two people involved. When asked whether discussing relationship issues with a third person could be a red flag, she responded that she believed such matters should stay private.
“No, I think that’s a red flag. It needs to stay between the two people,” the actor said.
Her remarks pointed towards the importance she places on privacy, trust and direct communication between partners. For Kriti, dealing with relationship issues together appears to be an important part of maintaining a strong personal bond.
Kriti Sanon says partners should support each other’s careers
Although Kriti described herself as traditional about romantic commitment, her views on relationships also reflected an emphasis on independence and professional growth.
The actor said she would be comfortable if her partner chose a career opportunity abroad for two years rather than staying with her. She explained that partners should encourage each other to pursue their ambitions instead of allowing the relationship to become an obstacle.
“One needs to support each other in personal and professional life,” she said.
Her response highlighted the distinction between commitment and limiting a partner’s opportunities. In her view, a relationship should allow both individuals to develop their careers while continuing to support one another.
The comment also showed that her preference for a traditional relationship does not necessarily mean expecting a partner to prioritise romance over every other aspect of life.
Instead, Kriti’s remarks suggested that she values a balance between emotional connection and individual goals. Supporting a partner through major professional decisions, including relocating abroad for work, can form part of that balance.
Why Kriti Sanon does not believe in Bollywood-style butterflies forever
Romantic films often portray falling in love as an immediate, intense experience filled with excitement and dramatic gestures. Kriti, however, offered a more practical view of how relationships develop over time.
She said that the idea of experiencing constant butterflies, as often depicted in Bollywood romances, should not be treated as a permanent expectation.
“Bollywood-style butterflies are for Bollywood only. Secondly, at some point, those butterflies will go away. Then comes comfort. It cannot always be about excitement,” she said.
Her comments challenged the idea that a successful relationship must always feel new or thrilling. According to the actor, the initial excitement can eventually give way to comfort and familiarity.
This view places importance on the stage of a relationship that follows the initial attraction. As partners become more familiar with each other, trust, companionship and emotional security can become increasingly significant.
Kriti’s comments also reflected the difference between romantic storytelling and real-life relationships. While films often focus on the dramatic beginnings of love, long-term partnerships involve navigating routines, responsibilities and changes in personal circumstances.
For the actor, the absence of constant excitement does not necessarily mean that a relationship has lost its value. Instead, comfort can become an important part of a lasting connection.
A little jealousy is acceptable, says Kriti
Kriti also spoke about jealousy, suggesting that she would expect her partner to show some reaction if another man flirted with her.
“Thodi jealousy toh banti hai na? A little bit of jealousy is good,” she said.
Her comment added a lighter moment to the discussion about relationship expectations. It suggested that she sees a degree of jealousy as a possible sign of emotional investment, although the statement reflected her personal view rather than a universal rule for relationships.
Jealousy can be interpreted differently depending on the people involved. For some, a mild reaction may be reassuring, while excessive jealousy or controlling behaviour can create difficulties. Kriti’s brief remark focused on the idea of a partner showing that they care.
Taken together with her comments on commitment, privacy and supporting each other’s careers, the actor’s responses outlined her personal expectations of a romantic partnership.
Kriti Sanon opens up about her first bikini scene in Cocktail 2
The NDTV World Summit session also touched on Kriti’s professional journey and her decision to appear in a bikini scene for Cocktail 2. The actor, who made her film debut with Heropanti 12 years ago, said it took time for her to become comfortable enough with herself to take on the scene.
Kriti described herself as her own biggest critic and said she often scrutinises her work and appearance. She explained that she is particularly affected when she feels she has not performed to the best of her ability.
“I feel I am my biggest critic. I scrutinise myself so much that I am more bothered about that than anything else. For me, if I feel I have not done my best, it bothers me the most,” she said.
Speaking about Cocktail 2, she said she was excited about the role and viewed the bikini scene as a personal milestone. She emphasised that feeling comfortable in her own skin was more important than fitness alone when preparing for such a scene.
“I did a bikini scene after 12 years. For a scene like that, more than fitness, you have to be comfortable in your own skin,” she said.
Kriti added that she had never worn a bikini before taking on the scene and would not have felt ready to do it six or eight years earlier.
“I have grown and evolved with time. Now, I’m comfortable in my body. This scene came bang on at the right time,” she told NDTV.
She also revealed that she now feels comfortable wearing a bikini at the beach, reflecting how her personal confidence has changed over the years.
Kriti says confidence came with time
Kriti’s comments about Cocktail 2 offered insight into how her comfort with herself has evolved alongside her career. Rather than describing the decision simply as a change in wardrobe or screen image, she spoke about the personal readiness required to take on a role that pushed her beyond her earlier boundaries.
The actor acknowledged that public figures face scrutiny over many aspects of their lives, including their appearance and professional choices. She said that her own critical approach to herself can sometimes weigh more heavily on her than external criticism.
Her experience, as she described it, was about reaching a stage where she felt confident enough to embrace the demands of the role.
The two subjects discussed during the summit — relationships and body confidence — offered different glimpses into Kriti’s personal outlook. On relationships, she spoke in favour of clear commitment, privacy and mutual support. On her film role, she highlighted personal growth and becoming comfortable with herself over time.
At the NDTV World Summit 2026, Kriti Sanon presented a candid account of her preferences and experiences, describing herself as traditional when it comes to love while acknowledging that confidence and comfort can evolve with age and experience.