With Rati Agnihotri filing a complaint of domestic violence, we take a look at other actresses who endured 'abusive' relationships till they could take it no more
Women power may be the buzzword today, but crimes against the fairer sex show no signs of abating anytime soon. Even celebrities are barely immune from atrocities, with reports of domestic violence surfacing once in a while. Though most actresses have always been vocal about crimes against women and inspire their followers to fight back, it is shocking that some of them choose to silently endure it until it assumes dangerous proportions.
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Rati Agnihotri had approached the police first on March 7 for an oral complaint, showing them abrasions on her hands allegedly caused by her architect-husband Anil Virwani’s beatings
The horrors of domestic abuse found their way to the public spotlight a couple of days ago when veteran actress Rati Agnihotri registered a police complaint against her architect-husband Anil Virwani. The couple has been married for nearly 30 years with a son, Tanuj, whose acting career took off last year.
In her statement, Rati has not mentioned the exact reasons behind the physical and mental assault, but has confessed that it has been continuing for a long time now. Virwani’s sinking business has been attributed as an apparent reason for his violent streak.
hitlist turns the spotlight on a few celebrities who, willingly or unwillingly, opened up about being tortured at the hands of their respective companions over a period of time...
Yukta Mookhey
The former beauty queen-turned-actress tied the knot with New York-based businessman Prince Tuli in 2008. Four years into her marriage, she filed a complaint against her husband for physical abuse and unnatural sex. In her interviews, she opened up about the sexual and mental harassment, while mentioning dowry torture and assaults on their son, Ahhrein. The case is still on and Yukta has alleged that she still gets threat calls from her husband.
Rucha Gujarathi
Known for her role in TV serial Bhabhi, she tied knot with her engineer-beau Mitul Sanghavi in 2010. A couple of years later, they parted ways. Rumours suggested that problems between the two started right from their honeymoon days. Apparently, her in-laws interfered greatly in their personal life and money matters while objecting to her acting career. Rucha filed a case against her in-laws when they reportedly attacked her and her father. Sources said the actress was also starved. While she never spoke up about the issues, Rucha only admitted to have had trouble in her marriage and is awaiting the court’s decision.
Rashami Desai
After working on the same show, Rashmi Desai and Nandish Sandhu decided to exchange wedding vows in 2012. Within two years, the couple started facing issues and Rashami walked out of their house and stayed separately. Initially, it was said that she was possessive and would not let her husband hang out with his friends. Later, there was buzz that the actress was a victim of physical violence and therefore, had opted for legal separation. But early this year, the couple has come together not only in real life, but also on reel, and everything seems hunky dory between them.
Zeenat Aman
The glamorous yesteryear actress, who came to represent the ‘new’ woman in the ’70s with her fashion statement and dramatic roles on reel, lived quite a dramatic life too. She reportedly faced physical abuse at the hands of her then beau (and rumoured husband) Sanjay Khan right in the middle of a party with people watching them.
Later, she married the not-so-successful actor Mazhar Khan and went through the ordeal again. The actress even went public accusing her husband of physical abuse. Their marriage was on the verge of breaking down when Mazhar was diagnosed with renal cancer. Forgetting her bitter life, she took on the role of a dutiful wife and had, reportedly, spent all her savings on his treatment.
Shweta Tiwari
She may have played a strong, rebellious woman on the small screen, but it took her a lot of time to vent her pent-up anger against her abusive husband Raja Chaudhary. The couple wed in 1998 and has a daughter, Palak. Shweta was living a happy life apparently until Raja started becoming insecure about her growing popularity. It is said that he would often create a scene on the set of her shows and forcibly manage her money. Sources say she initially decided to bear the torture for the sake of their daughter, but finally filed for a divorce in 2007, accusing Raja of domestic violence. She then married actor Abhinav Kohli two years ago.