Amrita Arora and Usman Afzal part ways

Amrita Arora and her London-based English cricketer beau have called off their four-year-old relationship. The relationship had been under some strain for the past few months but last week, the split became official. It is believed that it was a mutual decision to go their separate ways. Says a source close to the actress, "It was a difficult break-up as both had been very committed for the last four years, but it was inevitable.

Ultimately, it was the distance that killed this young relationship. Though Amrita and Usman made many efforts to visit each other as often as possible, in the last few months it was obvious that things weren't working out."

The relationship took a turn for the worse after Amrita returned from her last visit from London. "Amu loves partying and rumours of her link-ups with various people including upcoming model Sahil Shroff didn't help matters. On Usman's birthday (June 11). Amrita was shooting in Bangkok for Golmaal Returns and couldn't go to London and this spelt the beginning of the end.

Amu tried hard to work out this relationship as she loved Ussi a lot but it wasn't meant to be. Ussi and she spoke over the phone and decided to call it off before she flew off to USA. There were no huge fights and melodrama but a quiet acceptance that both were now headed in two different directions."

The split took place before Amrita left for a two-month schedule in the USA last Thursday for Kambakht Ishq. "Amrita has now immersed herself into her work. The friend adds, "Amu has got good releases like Golmaal Returns and Kambakht Ishq and now wants to concentrate on her work. It's a career decision as much as a personal one." The friend adds, "She is a emotional wreck, a far cry from the bubbly, bright girl she used to be. Amu has become quiet and withdrawn. She comes back to the hotel from the shoot and turns in for an early night.

Her only comfort is that best friend Kareena is also there with her. As someone who's had a long relationship break-up (Shahid), the girls have something in common. Bebo is helping her cope as she understands what Amu is going through." When quizzed about the split, Amrita says, "It's true but I don't want to talk about it. I can't. Please understand."