‘When you have to rip out a band-aid, how do you do it…Slowly, no. Rapidly,' says Salman Khan on handling breakups; find out if this mindset really helps

Indian Express

14-05-2025

Salman Khan's take on breakups is as straightforward as his on-screen persona. While speaking to his nephew Arhaan Khan on his YouTube podcast channel titled Dumb Biryani, Salman compared moving on from a breakup to ripping off a band-aid — quick, decisive, and without dwelling on the pain.
He advised Arhaan, 'Even if your girlfriend has broken up with you, let her go. Bye bye.' Salman then compared breaking up with a girl to ripping off a band-aid and said, 'When you have to rip out a band-aid, how do you do it? Slowly? No. Rapidly. Go inside a room, have a good cry and finish the subject. Come out and just say 'What's up? How's it going?''
However, he quickly emphasised the importance of apologising as soon as one recognises their mistake. 'Always apologise when you have made a mistake. 'Thank you' and 'sorry' should come out spontaneously,' he said.
While some believe that swiftly moving on helps avoid prolonged suffering, others argue that rushing through heartbreak may suppress emotions rather than resolve them.
Sonal Khangarot, licensed rehabilitation counsellor and psychotherapist, The Answer Room, tells indianexpress.com, 'Pushing oneself to 'get over it' fast can be a form of emotional suppression and can backfire. While distraction and forward movement are important, ignoring pain can have several consequences.'
Khangarot shares some of them:
– Rebound Relationships: Jumping into a new relationship before fully healing can transfer unresolved emotions, repeating unhealthy patterns.
– ⁠Delayed Grief: Suppressed emotions often resurface later in unexpected ways — through anxiety, resentment, or emotional numbness.
– ⁠Self Deception: Convincing yourself you are fine doesn't mean you indeed are. Unprocessed pain can show up as irritability, avoidance, or physical symptoms like fatigue or headaches.
'That said, wallowing indefinitely isn't healthy either. A balanced approach — allowing emotions to be felt while maintaining self care and perspective is key,' suggests the expert.
Khangarot highlights that treating heartbreak as an inconvenience to be buried 'can have serious psychological effects.' Emotional numbing can make it harder to experience joy or form deep connections in future relationships. Suppressed emotions often manifest as anxiety, irritability, or prolonged sadness. Unprocessed loss can also create a fear of vulnerability, leading to commitment issues. Additionally, ignoring pain may reinforce cognitive distortions, such as believing that love is pointless or that people always leave, which can negatively impact future relationships.
The healthiest approach to breakups lies in balance, she says, acknowledgment with action. Feel your emotions, but don't dwell in hopelessness; journaling or talking to a friend can help. Rebuilding routines, like focusing on fitness, hobbies, and social activities, fosters healing. Most importantly, seek closure within yourself — true healing comes from self-reflection and growth, not from revisiting the past.