Throwback: When Suchitra Krishnamoorthi Blamed Preity Zinta For Her Divorce From Shekhar Kapur

In a look back at one of Bollywood’s most talked-about public fallouts, Suchitra Krishnamoorthi’s past comments about her marriage to filmmaker Shekhar Kapur continue to resurface every few years. The actress has spoken openly about the breakdown of her relationship, and how she once held Preity Zinta partly responsible for it—an allegation that created significant controversy in the mid-2000s.

A marriage that fell apart

Suchitra Krishnamoorthi married acclaimed director Shekhar Kapur in 1999. She was just 22 at the time and stepped back from her career to focus on her home and raising their daughter. However, the relationship deteriorated over the years, eventually ending in divorce.

In interviews that followed, Suchitra alleged that infidelity played a major role in their split, stating that she felt disrespected and hurt by the circumstances surrounding the marriage’s breakdown.

The Preity Zinta controversy

One of the most sensational statements from Suchitra came when she said Preity Zinta had contributed to the turbulence in her marriage. Although she did not present detailed evidence, the claim sparked intense media speculation.

Preity Zinta strongly refuted the allegations at the time, calling them baseless and even reacting sharply in interviews, which only added fuel to the public feud. For weeks, tabloids and news channels covered the spat extensively, making it one of early-2000s Bollywood’s most uncomfortable public dramas.

‘I still haven’t forgiven her’ — Suchitra’s later reflection

Years later, in a fresh interview, Suchitra reiterated that she had never forgiven Preity Zinta and added that the actress “does not exist” for her anymore.

She clarified that her feelings stemmed not only from the allegation itself but from the emotional turmoil she endured during the marriage. According to her, the disrespect and instability at the time left wounds that never fully healed.

A feud that never truly settled

While both Shekhar Kapur and Preity Zinta moved forward professionally, the tension between the two women remained unresolved.

Fans who recall the controversy feel it became one of Bollywood’s earliest public discourses on marital breakdowns, women’s emotional labour, and loyalty within the industry. Some express empathy for Suchitra’s honesty, while others feel the matter—unproven and long past—should have remained private.