Shibani Akhtar and Rhea Chakraborty share a deep and enduring bond that transcends age. Despite a significant age difference, the two have grown to become emotional anchors for one another, with Shibani often stepping into the role of an elder sister and confidante. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, the duo opened up about their relationship, likening themselves to Monica and Rachel from Friends. Their conversation took a more emotional turn when Shibani addressed the traumatic period Rhea faced in the wake of Sushant Singh Rajput’s death — particularly the intense media scrutiny, the alleged drug case filed against her and her brother and public backlash that followed. Calling Rhea’s ordeal painful and life-altering, Shibani said, “It was a journey that nobody could have predicted. It was a journey that was definitely difficult, painful, and she survived it in the most beautifully stunning ways. I don’t know how to put it in words but it was tough. And I think that for someone as strong as her, it just added an extra …