The lives of famous actresses often captivate audiences not just for their performances but also for their personal choices. Among these luminaries are Parveen Babi, Asha Parekh, Suraiya, Sulakshana Pandit, Tabu, and Sushmita Sen, each of whom chose to remain unmarried for various reasons.
Their stories provide a glimpse into the complexities of love, career, and societal expectations in the glamorous yet challenging world of Bollywood.
Parveen Babi
Parveen Babi was one of the most glamorous and talented actresses of her time, known for her roles in films like “Deewar” and “Kali Ghata.” She was always ahead of her time and impressed the audience with her unapologetic way of lifestyle. Despite her success, Babi faced personal struggles, including battles with mental health. Her relationships, notably with Danny Denzongpa, Mahesh Bhatt and Kabir Bedi, were tumultuous and often fraught with challenges. Her personal life was also subjected to the public eye but filled with speculations. Her unfortunate demise left several questions looming.
Asha Parekh
Asha Parekh, a celebrated actress from the 1960s and 1970s, became a symbol of grace and talent. She has opened up about not getting married earlier in interviews. She had once admitted to be in love with filmmaker Nasir Hussain. However, he was married and she chose to not to confess it for the sake of the families. In an interview with Zeenat Aman last year, she said, “Marriages are made in heaven. If it has to happen, it will. But if it is not meant to happen, it will not happen. Maybe it was not written in my destiny and I think I am very happy it didn’t happen., I think you all will agree with it.”
Suraiya
Suraiya was not only a brilliant actress but also a talented singer, known for her enchanting voice and captivating screen presence. The lovestry of Dev Anand and Suraiya is known to all. The two had worked together in films like Vidya (1948), Jeet (1949), Shair (1949), Afsar (1950), Nili (1950), Do Sitare (1951) and Sanam (1951) and fell in love. Dev Anand opened up about their love story in his autobiography, Romancing with Life. While talking about the book, he had said according to PTI, “It was destined that way. Had I gone to her, my life would have been different. Had I married her, life at her end would have taken me to a different course. Then may be I would not have been the Dev Anand I am today.” Suraiya’s decision to remain single highlights the societal pressures that often influenced personal choices in the film industry.
Sulakshana Pandit
Sulakshana Pandit was another famous actor from the yester year. According to several media reports from back in the day, Pandit was deeply in love with actor Sanjeev Kumar. She even proposed to him but was rejected by the later as he liked Hema Malini. Both Sulakshana and Sanjeev were rejected by their love and left heartbroken.
Anu Agarwal
Anu Agarwal was the IT girl from her era. She mustered immense success and fame from her super hit film ‘Aashiqui.’ She was a model and later got in an unfortunate accident that disfigured her face. In an interview last year with TOi, she revealed her thoughts on marriage and said, “my first relationship opened my eyes after it failed. It taught me that I needed to find love within myself and not look for love from outside. I was open to marriage but I had taken off on a self-development trip. I see marriages happening and I wish everyone the best. Mera nahin hua, theek hai.”
Tabu
Tabu is known for her versatility and strong performances in critically acclaimed films. She never revealed a particular to not get married. However, on different occasions she has expressed that marriage is not a yardstick to assess anybody.
Sushmita Sen
Sushmita Sen, the first Indian woman to win the Miss Universe title. While she has had relationships, she chose to remain unmarried and instead embraced motherhood through adoption. In a candid conversation with Twinkle Khanna for Tweak India’s she spoke about her decision of not getting married and what led to it. “Luckily I met some very interesting men in my life, the only reason I never got married is because they were a let down. It had nothing to do with my kids. My kids were never in the equation. If at all, they have been very gracious. Both my kids have accepted people in my life with open arms, never made a face. They have given everybody equal measure of love and respect. It’s the most beautiful thing to watch,” said Sushmita Sen. The actress added, “I came close to getting married thrice, all three times God saved me. I can’t tell you what disasters followed with their respective lives. God protected me, also because God is protecting these two kids, he can’t let me get into a messy affair.”Her journey highlights the importance of personal fulfillment and self-love.
The stories of Parveen Babi, Asha Parekh, Suraiya, Sulakshana Pandit, Tabu, and Sushmita Sen illustrate that the decision to remain unmarried is often multifaceted. These actresses not only carved their paths in the cinematic world but also navigated personal choices that reflected their aspirations, values, and the societal pressures of their times. Their legacies continue to inspire future generations.
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