Dynamics of a Decades-Long Separation: Apara Mehta and Darshan Jariwala’s Unspoken Bond
Television veteran Apara Mehta details the blunt exchange that ended her shared life with Darshan Jariwala. Despite living apart since 2003, the actors remain legally wed and maintain a unique creative connection.
The 2003 Breakdown: A Harsh Anniversary Phone Call
For decades, Apara Mehta has remained a household name for her role as Savita Mansukh Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. However, behind her professional success lay a fractured marriage to actor Darshan Jariwala. In a new interview with Hauterrfly, Mehta detailed the specific moments leading to their decision to live separately. The fracture began with a phone call on their wedding anniversary while Mehta was performing in the United States. Jariwala insisted they speak immediately upon her return.
The confrontation took place at 5:00 AM, just two hours after Mehta landed in India and shortly before she was scheduled for a 7:00 AM television shift. Jariwala expressed a desire to separate, stating he had fallen out of love. Mehta recounted his harsh parting words: "I do not like you anymore, and you are the ugliest woman I've come across in my life."
Processing Grief on a Television Set
Despite the emotional weight of the conversation, Mehta maintained her professional obligations. She left for her shoot immediately after the exchange, while Jariwala sat on their home swing with a cup of tea. Due to exhaustion from her international flight, she admitted to drifting off between takes before the reality of his statements finally registered later that afternoon. Mehta initially questioned the finality of his words, doubting he could have meant them.
A Lifelong Arrangement Without Divorce
Jariwala, recognized for his work in Gandhi, My Father and Guru, eventually moved out of the family home. Married since 1982 and parents to a daughter, the couple chose a path of permanent separation without seeking a legal divorce. This arrangement has lasted since 2003.
- Relationship Current Status: Living separately but maintain a warm, conversational bond.
- Legal Status: Married; no formal divorce filings.
- Mutual Understanding: Mehta claims they still finish each other's sentences and that the door remains open for Jariwala.
Mehta maintains an analytical view of their dynamic today, suggesting that while they found comfort in living apart, their intellectual and history-driven connection remains peerless. She noted that while he may never return to their shared home, she believes neither will find a partner quite like the other.
Source: NDTV Trending
