The internet has bestowed a new, cheeky title upon Shashi Tharoor. A series of candid photographs showing the Congress MP in a close, comfortable pose with RT India’s Head of News, Runjhun Sharma, has triggered a wildfire of spicy jokes and romantic speculation online, with many dubbing him the “Minister of Extramarital Affairs”.
The photos, taken in Moscow and shared by Sharma herself, show Tharoor seated on a sofa with the journalist perched on the armrest beside him. Her hand rests on his shoulder and arm—a posture of easy familiarity that instantly captivated the public’s imagination. The images, radiating a warm and intimate vibe, completely overshadowed their professional context, leading to a frenzy of memes, theories, and humorous commentary about a potential romantic link.
What Exactly Is the Internet Saying?
The online reaction has been swift, creative, and unrelenting. Here are some of the comments (explained as per our understanding) and jokes that have ignited the buzz over viral moment:
Among the top comments was “Minister of Extramarital Affairs,” a nod to his past role as Minister of State for External Affairs. Another fan favorite was “Tharoorosaurus Rex of Romance,” riffing on his well-known “Tharoorosaurus” tag tied to his vocabulary.
“Britain ko fat stack of colonial receipts dekar agaye, ab kuch personal receipts settle karne hain”: A witty comment combining his anti-colonial speeches with the current situation, implying he had returned from international duties to “settle some personal affairs”.
Other top-liked comments included: “The only affair here is with the English language,” “If ‘Global Diplomat’ had a romantic subplot,” “He doesn’t just handle External Affairs, he handles Internal Affairs too,” “The only man who can make an interview look like a candle-light dinner,” “Aura hai bhai ka,” and “Ageless Romantic Industrialist of Vocabulary” — a title one X user joked about, referencing Tharoor’s famous command of English.
Others wrote: “Chalta-firta Thesaurus with Wi-Fi Charm”, “Some people just never get old”.
Is Shashi Tharoor Married?
Amidst the jokes about “affairs,” public curiosity about Tharoor’s actual marital status has spiked. Shashi Tharoor is currently unmarried and is a widower. His marital history is as follows:
Tilottama Mukherji: Tharoor’s first wife. They married in 1981 and later divorced. They have two sons together, Ishaan and Kanishk.
Christa Giles: His second wife, a Canadian diplomat. They married in 2007 and divorced in 2010.
Sunanda Pushkar: Tharoor’s third wife, a businesswoman. They married in August 2010. She was found dead in a New Delhi hotel room in January 2014 under mysterious circumstances. Tharoor was later charged in relation to her death, but a Delhi court discharged him from all charges in August 2021.
Who is the ‘Mystery Woman,’ Runjhun Sharma?
Runjhun Sharma is the accomplished journalist at the center of the viral moment. She is the Head of News for RT India and a seasoned, award-winning professional who has worked for years as RT’s South Asia correspondent in Moscow. Her marital status is not publicly disclosed, which has only added to the mystique and public curiosity surrounding the photos.
The Professional Truth vs. The Viral Buzz
Officially, Tharoor was in Moscow for a work interview on Sharma’s RT India show, where he spoke about British colonialism. But what’s really feeding the rumors is the total silence from both of them. Neither Tharoor nor Sharma has commented on the dating chatter, letting the speculation spread freely. Online, the focus has shifted from colonialism to the supposed chemistry in that one viral photo.
FAQs
Q: Is Shashi Tharoor married?
A: No, Shashi Tharoor is currently unmarried. He is a widower; his last wife, Sunanda Pushkar, passed away in 2014.
Q: Who is Shashi Tharoor’s wife?
A: Shashi Tharoor does not have a wife currently. He has been married three times in the past: to Tilottama Mukherji, Christa Giles, and Sunanda Pushkar.
Q: Are Shashi Tharoor and Runjhun Sharma dating?
A: Neither Shashi Tharoor nor Runjhun Sharma has confirmed anything about their relationship. The widely shared picture was taken during a professional interaction, yet both have stayed silent on the dating speculation.
Q: Who is Runjhun Sharma?
A: Runjhun Sharma is the Head of News for RT India, an award-winning senior journalist based in Moscow. Her personal marital status is not publicly known.
Q: Why is this photo causing so much gossip?
A: The image captures a kind of informal closeness that people interpreted as more than just professional. With neither of them addressing the speculation—and given Tharoor’s public appeal—the rumors quickly took off.
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