This 2000s star made her debut at 10, left her career at peak for marriage, suffered 30 years of domestic abuse for…, now works…

From a tumultuous marriage to enduring years of domestic abuse, this actor’s journey was filled with different challenges.

This actress was in her teens when she started modelling, and at just 19, she entered the world of cinema, making her debut in 1979. From there, her career soared and she soon became one of the most beloved stars in the cinema. However, behind her glamorous career, this star faced a deeply personal struggle. From a tumultuous marriage to enduring years of domestic abuse, her journey was filled with different challenges. However, she overcame all of those struggles. The actress is Rati Agnihotri.

The actress and her acting career

After her acting debut in Tamil cinema with the film Puthiya Vaarpugal (1980), in 1981, the actress made her debut in Hindi cinema with the film Gene's requestalongside Mithun Chakraborty. Later, she worked with several leading actors and starred in iconic films such as For one couple, Sapna, Rakta Bandhan, Roopa and Hum Tum. Her hit films made her a household name in the 80s and 90s.

The actress took a break from the film industry

At the height of her career, Rati Agnihotri met Anil Virwani, a businessman, and they soon fell in love. Despite initial resistance from her family, Rati Agnihotri married Anil in 1985. At the time, she was at the peak of her career, but she chose to prioritize her married life. The duo welcomed their son, Tanuj Virwani, in 1986, but cracks soon began to show in their marriage.

What followed was a painful period in the actor’s life, as she endured years of alleged physical abuse from Anil Virwani. For three decades, she silently suffered, hoping things would improve for the sake of her son. In an interview, she revealed, “I had certain priorities, the biggest being my son Tanuj. He was the reason I put up with all this pain for 30 years. For all these years I’d hoped… prayed… that things would change, that he would change.”

The actress moved out of her husband’s house

In 2015, Rati Agnihotri decided to take a stand and moved out of the house after fearing for her life. A few days later, she filed a police complaint against her husband for domestic violence. However, despite the turmoil, the two reconciled for their son’s sake. Anil Virwani later confirmed, “Things have become much better. Now, none of us wants to focus on the bitterness. It is behind us, and we’re back to our happy selves.”

Rati Agnihotri was last seen in Milind Ukey's Ranviir The Marshal (2016), alongside Rajesh Kattar and Shibani Kashyap. Reportedly, she currently spends most of her time in Poland and owns an Indian restaurant with her sister Anita.