Even for those who knew there was trouble brewing in the marital home of Hrithik and Sussanne Roshan, the actor’s confirmation over the weekend came as a shock. “Sussanne has decided to separate from me and end our 17-year relationship,” said Hrithik in an official statement, which has since sparked no end of controversy. Unnamed friends of Sussanne are asking why Hrithik appears to be seeking the sympathy of his fans, by clubbing this news with an update on his ill health and words on his faith in the “institution” of marriage. Sussanne’s relative-silence on the subject is commendable, especially because there is so much she could say to shed light on their current predicament. If one really wants privacy however, the best way to get it would be to say as little as possible to the press and public at large. With Twitter-active star-gazers making light of the situation with silly statements like: “Even a superhero like Krrish cannot handle a wife,” Abhishek Bachchan has joined the bandwagon of people who are urging others to give this once-glamorous super-couple some space. After all, the end of a marriage is no laughing matter — especially when it involves and impacts the future of two beautiful, innocent children. We’d be foolish to assume this shocking split isn’t going to provide grist to the rumour mills for many moons. Nonetheless, this isn’t reality TV, where your voyeuristic pleasure may possibly be justified. Instead, with reconciliation not entirely out of the question for Sussanne and Hrithik, what fans can offer instead of platitudes at this time are prayers.