In The Archies (2023), directed by Zoya Akhtar, a seemingly lighthearted moment sparks a surprisingly serious question. When Archie Andrews confesses that he loves both Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge and cannot choose between them, the girls respond by dumping him — together. The scene plays out with humor, yet it quietly raises a deeper dilemma: are humans capable of loving more than one person at a time, or have we simply been conditioned to believe otherwise?

Archie’s indecision may not represent ethical behavior, but conversations around polyamory are steadily gaining ground. A 2023 Bumble survey revealed that 61% of single Indians polled were open to ethical non-monogamy. According to Anitha J, consultant clinical psychologist at Niyama Healthcare, such relationship structures are far from new. Ancient Indian literature, including the Itihasas and Puranas, references non-monogamous arrangements. The Mahabharata, where Draupadi is married to the five Pandava brothers, is often cited as an early cultural example of polyamorous dynamics.

Emotional bandwidth and fulfillment

For many individuals, polyamory begins with recognizing their emotional capacity. Vaishnavi Prabhu (29) shared that she gradually understood she had the “ability to receive and give love to more than one person.” Exploring multiple relationships allowed her to feel more emotionally fulfilled. “I could have a partner for different facets of my life,” she explained.

Looking back, she realized that while one partner fulfilled her romantic needs, she missed having someone who shared her passion for cinema. Embracing polyamory, she said, expanded her possibilities rather than limiting them.

A Pune-based communications consultant described a similar experience. She believes she was always polyamorous but lacked the language to articulate it. Learning about the concept through an acquaintance led her to research further and discover stories that resonated deeply. “Just knowing that polyamory exists lifted a huge sense of guilt from my conscience,” she said.

For Shweta Sangtani, CEO of the Sangya Project, the journey began with dialogue. Eight years ago, she and her husband started questioning rigid relationship templates. “We realised relationships are often presented in a cookie-cutter format — with fixed ideas of what is acceptable,” she reflected. Together, they decided to define their own boundaries, agreeing that dating others was acceptable as long as it involved complete transparency and communication.

Cultural shifts and visibility

Experts suggest that polyamory’s growing visibility is closely tied to broader cultural shifts. Increased acceptance of diverse sexual orientations and ongoing conversations about LGBTQ rights have helped create a more supportive environment. Psychiatrist Dr Jitender Jakhar notes that although the term “polyamory” emerged in the 1960s, consensual non-monogamy has existed across cultures for centuries. Media representation and changing social norms have simply brought it into clearer view.

Beyond misconceptions

Despite greater awareness, misconceptions persist. Many confuse polyamory with promiscuity. Prabhu shared that when she mentioned being polyamorous on a dating app, some men assumed she was seeking casual hookups. Others equate it with infidelity.

Queer-affirmative therapist Ananya Pant clarifies that polyamory is rooted in consent. “If someone is cheating under the name of polyamory, it is simply cheating,” she explains. The distinction lies in honesty and mutual agreement.

Sangtani also challenges the notion that polyamory lacks seriousness. “It involves multiple relationships, each requiring emotional investment,” she says. Practising polyamory in India, however, comes with challenges — including stigma, time management, jealousy, and the emotional labour it demands.

Ultimately, experts emphasize that ethical non-monogamy rests on a foundation of honesty, consent, open communication, and respect. As conversations around love continue to evolve, the question remains: are relationship rules fixed — or are we just beginning to rewrite them?