The Karva Chauth festival, an occasion marked by devotion and the celebration of marital bonds, was observed with great enthusiasm across India this year. Among those participating in this auspicious tradition was Ritu Rathee, wife of renowned YouTuber Gaurav Taneja, popularly known as "Flying Beast." Ritu followed the age-old practice of fasting for her husband’s long life, a gesture that did not go unnoticed by her followers and fans.
Taneja, known for his active social media presence, took to Instagram to share intimate moments from the day. His stories featured Ritu and their two daughters, Kiara and Pihu, each sporting intricate henna designs on their hands—a customary symbol of the festival. In a heartwarming clip, Gaurav captured Ritu getting her henna applied at a local stall, playfully captioning the video: "Brothers, please make sure to find your name on your lady’s hand." This light-hearted comment resonated with his followers, many of whom are accustomed to his candid style of content creation. Yet, not everyone was amused. Some sceptics criticised the couple, accusing them of turning a personal moment into a PR stunt, a charge often levelled at public figures navigating the delicate balance between their private lives and public personas.
Gaurav Taneja’s online engagement extends beyond such festive snapshots. Just days earlier, he had shared photos from their Durga Puja celebrations. One image in particular, showing him proudly posing with his elder daughter Kiara, and another of the entire family—Gaurav, Ritu, and Kiara—appeared to capture the family's warmth and unity.
Who is Gaurav Taneja?
For the uninitiated, Gaurav Taneja is much more than just a YouTuber. A former Air Asia pilot, he has reinvented himself as a digital influencer with a robust online following. Taneja runs three highly popular YouTube channels: Flying Beast, which focuses on family vlogs; Fit Muscle TV, which covers fitness-related content; and Rasbhari Ke Papa, a channel dedicated to fatherhood and his experiences as a parent. His relatable content, particularly family-oriented videos, has earned him millions of loyal followers. Ritu Rathee, a commercial pilot herself, complements this digital dynamic, boasting a significant social media presence of her own, with 1.6 million Instagram followers.
Photo Shared Amidst Divorce Rumours
However, this Karva Chauth celebration has unfolded against the backdrop of swirling divorce rumours concerning the couple. Speculation about a rift in their marriage gained momentum when observant fans noticed Ritu visiting the spiritual guru Premanand Maharaj in Vrindavan. Adding to the intrigue, a viral video surfaced in which Ritu was seen discussing sensitive matters related to infidelity and the custody of their daughters. Such revelations naturally fuelled further gossip, prompting their followers to question the state of their relationship.
In an apparent response to these swirling rumours, Gaurav recently shared a photo on Instagram featuring himself and Ritu in their car, seemingly addressing the ongoing speculation. His post was an implicit message that all might not be as turbulent as suggested by recent rumours.
Reactions to the Viral Post
The post, as expected, attracted widespread attention. Within hours, it had amassed over 400,000 likes, with fans rushing to express their views. Many commenters were visibly relieved to see the couple together, taking it as a sign that their relationship was stabilising. However, as with any public discourse, there were those who continued to speculate, debating whether this public display was indicative of reconciliation or simply an attempt to quell the rising tide of gossip.
