Esha Deol is setting the record straight on her personal life. In her first interview since announcing her separation from businessman Bharat Takhtani earlier this year, the actor has strongly objected to being labelled a “single mother” and clarified that co-parenting their two daughters remains a joint effort .
The couple, who married in 2012, announced their separation in a joint statement issued through their legal teams. At the time, they requested privacy for the sake of their two daughters—Radhya, 7, and Miraya, 5 .
‘My children have a fantastic father’
In an interview with Hauterrfly, Esha spoke with refreshing candour about her new normal. She addressed the separation directly, acknowledging that while the marriage did not work out, the shared responsibility of raising their children remains unaffected.
“Just because I’m not with my ex-husband doesn’t mean I’m a single mom. My children have a fantastic father. We are a team, we co-parent really well,” Esha explained .
She elaborated on the active role Bharat plays in their daughters’ upbringing, stating that he is present for the family regularly, that they work as a unit, and that the children are surrounded by love from both parents .
‘I have support—I am not alone’
Esha pushed back against any narrative that portrays her as struggling alone. “I’m not a single mother because I have support. I don’t want anyone to feel sorry for me,” she said .
She drew a clear line between her situation and that of mothers who truly raise children without external support. She argued that terms like “single mom” lose meaning when applied broadly, and that she does not want to appropriate a term that belongs to women facing more difficult circumstances .
Hema Malini: ‘My pillar of strength’
Beyond her co-parenting equation with Bharat, Esha credited her mother, veteran actor and politician Hema Malini, with helping her navigate the emotional challenges of the separation.
“My mother has been my pillar of strength. I’ve seen her as a single mother; I’ve seen her go through life. She’s been there for me through thick and thin,” Esha said .
She described her mother’s guidance as crucial during the divorce proceedings, noting that Hema Malini helped the family stay focused on the wellbeing of the children .
What’s next for Esha
As for her career, Esha has continued to work in films and the digital space. Known for her roles in films such as Dhoom (2004) and No Entry (2005), she has recently appeared in the critically acclaimed web series Hunter (2023) and was part of the documentary The Roshans alongside her father, Dharmendra .
Esha recently celebrated the release of her brother Bobby Deol’s film Bandar, which is currently in theatres . She has also expressed excitement about future projects .
For now, Esha’s message is clear: her family may have changed shape, but it has not fallen apart. And labels others try to attach to her are ones she refuses to accept .
