Cinema VinesIn a candid interview with Hauterrfly, veteran actress Apara Mehta opened up about the decade‑long separation from her estranged husband, actor Darshan Jariwala. The pair, who tied the knot in 1980 and share a daughter, have been living apart since 2003 but have never formalised a divorce.
Mehta recounted a pivotal moment that altered the course of their marriage. While she was in the United States filming a show, she called Jariwala on their wedding anniversary. He informed her that they needed to talk, and she flew back to India, arriving home at 3 am and reaching the house at 5 am. There, Jariwala delivered a harsh verdict: “I’ve fallen out of love with you, do not like you anymore, and you are the ugliest woman I’ve come across in my life.” Despite the shock, Mehta had a shoot at 7 am and pushed through, later reflecting that she had initially believed the words were not meant to be taken literally.
After the confrontation, Jariwala eventually moved out of their shared home. Yet, the couple has maintained a surprisingly amicable relationship over the years. Mehta said, “The doors are always open. He can come back. But I also know that he might not. I’m telling you, he’ll never find anybody like me, and I’ll never find anybody like him. And yes, living separately, we are so comfortable with each other. We can still complete each other’s sentences.”
Jariwala’s career spans notable films such as Gandhi, My Father, Guru, and Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani. Mehta, best known for her role as Savita Mansukh Virani in Ekta Kapoor’s Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, has also appeared in popular television series like Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka, Saat Phere, Hamari Devrani, Jamai Raja, Qayamat Ki Raat, Anupamaa, and Kabhi Kabhie Ittefaq Sey, as well as Hindi and Gujarati films including Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, Devdas, and Tees Maar Khan.
