In a recent episode of her popular chat show Two Much, author and columnist Twinkle Khanna sparked a fresh debate on infidelity and relationship dynamics with a bold statement about generational differences in concealing affairs.
The Generational Divide on Hiding Affairs
The discussion unfolded when Twinkle Khanna, alongside celebrities Kajol, Ananya Panday, and Farah Khan, was asked to respond to the statement: "Older people are better at hiding their affairs than younger people."
While Twinkle, Farah, and Ananya agreed with the statement, Kajol offered a contrasting perspective. "I feel younger people are much better at hiding everything about their lives, affairs," Kajol disagreed.
Twinkle Khanna elaborated on her agreement with a straightforward explanation: "They have lots of practice." Meanwhile, Ananya Panday brought technology into the conversation, noting that in today's digital world, "everything comes out anyway," suggesting that the permanence of digital footprints makes concealment difficult for any generation.
Expert Decodes Age, Experience and Privacy
Is there any truth to the idea that older individuals are more skilled at deception in relationships? Counseling psychologist Athul Raj provided expert insight to indianexpress.com, clarifying that it's less about skill and more about context.
"Older individuals are not necessarily better at deception; they are simply more discreet because they grew up in a time when privacy was a natural part of relationships," Raj explained. "Experience teaches them to manage emotions with restraint."
He highlighted the crucial role of technology in this dynamic, stating that "Younger people live in a digital age where even small gestures, like a message or a like, can expose emotional intimacy." The fundamental difference, according to the expert, lies less in morality and more in visibility and the environment in which each generation learned to navigate relationships.
Changing Partners: Instability or Emotional Clarity?
The conversation on the show took another interesting turn with the subsequent statement: "Today's kids change their partners faster than they change outfits."
Here, the panel's opinions diverged again. Twinkle Khanna agreed, viewing the trend positively. "It's a good thing because in our time, it was like, 'What will people say? We can't do this.' They are changing their partners quickly, and I think it's a good thing," she said, praising younger generations for having "no baggage" and the ability to move on quickly when something isn't working.
Ananya Panday countered, arguing that "People have always been changing their partners. Earlier, it was a bit quiet." This exchange highlighted a significant generational shift in perspective, where what older generations might perceive as instability, younger generations may view as emotional clarity and self-respect.
Expert Athul Raj commented on this shift, noting that "Moving on quickly does not always mean emotional detachment. It can show an ability to heal and move forward without guilt." He acknowledged that constant exposure to new options through dating apps has changed emotional depth, but framed this as "a new emotional adaptability in a culture that values growth and self-awareness over endurance at any cost."
This isn't the first time Twinkle Khanna has shared a candid take on relationships. In a previous segment, she had expressed that physical cheating isn't necessarily an automatic dealbreaker, suggesting that a physical act without emotional attachment might not always warrant ending a relationship.
The conversation on Two Much ultimately reveals evolving norms around privacy, commitment, and what constitutes betrayal in modern relationships, with technology acting as the great amplifier and equalizer across generations.