Actress Rukhsar opens up about forced marriage and starting over as a young mother, says "There was a time I thought my story was over..."

Rukhsar Rehman talks about her early life

Rukhsar Rehman was a teenage girl pursuing her dreams in the film industry before becoming well-known for her roles in critically acclaimed films like PK, Sarkar, and Uri. S

She starred opposite Rishi Kapoor in Inteha Pyar Ki shortly after making her acting debut at the age of 17 in Yaad Rakhegi Duniya. But her career was cut short just as it was starting to take shape.

Rukhsar made the tough choice to leave the limelight due to pressure from her family. Her dreams were put on hold much sooner than she had anticipated because her marriage was arranged and she became a mother by the age of 19.

Reflecting on that time, she told Humans of Bombay, “With Aisha, I found my new purpose. Life looked perfect from the outside. I was trying to be a good wife. But over time, the cracks began to show. And the marriage fell apart."

There was no dramatic departure from her past. “One night, I packed what little I could and left. My daughter was just 8 months old, asleep, unaware our life was about to change. I kept asking myself, ‘Am I doing the right thing?’ But I knew I had tried everything. When my father opened the door, he didn’t ask questions — just said, ‘You’ll be okay.’"

Returning to her hometown of Rampur, Rukhsar started over. To support herself and her daughter, she opened a small garment boutique. But her passion for acting remained alive.

“Years passed. One day, I grew too restless. I left Aisha with my parents — the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But I had to find myself again if I wanted to give her the life she deserved. In 2005, after over a decade away, I started from scratch — small roles, auditions, rejections. But I kept going."

Slowly but surely, she carved her way back into the industry, gaining recognition in film and television. She also found love again and married filmmaker Faruk Kabir, though life would soon test her yet again.

“It hurt, but Aisha was by my side. I believe she raised me too. There was a time I thought my story was over. But I loved acting too much to let it go. When you’re meant to do something, you find your way back — when you’re ready."

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On the work front, Rukhsar will now co-star with veteran actor Annu Kapoor in Ravinder Siwach's social drama Uttar Da Puttar. As she continues to write her story, one role at a time, she will also make a special appearance in the upcoming movie Thanks Maa.