Celina Jaitly, Zeenat Aman and Shweta Tiwari : Actresses who spoke up about facing domestic violence

Actress who suffered domestic violence

Domestic abuse is an issue that cuts across class, fame, and public image. Even in the glamorous world of Indian film industry, many actresses have faced violence behind closed doors and often maintained a smiling façade in the public.

But many have also taken a brave step to come forward and talk about it openly. Recently Celina Jaitly filed a case of domestic violence against her entrepreneur husband Peter Haag in Mumbai.

She has accused him of being controlling and said in her plea that she has suffered severe emotional, physical, sexual and verbal abuse at the hands of her Austrian husband Peter Haag.

The plea came up for hearing on Tuesday (November 25) before judicial magistrate S C Tadye, who issued a notice to Haag and posted the matter for hearing on December 12.

Celina Jaitly, in her application filed through Karanjwala & Co law firm, accused Peter of domestic violence, cruelty and manipulation under provisions of the Domestic Violence Act.

The 47-year-old actress also claimed she has suffered severe emotional, physical, sexual and verbal abuse by her husband because of which she was forced to flee her home in Austria and return to India.

Also Read: Did Palash Muchhal cheat on fiancée Smriti Mandhana? Viral screenshot sparks buzz

Here's taking a look at some of the other actresses who have come out of their troubled relationships in the past after suffering domestic abuse.

Zeenat Aman

One of the earliest and most courageous disclosures came from Bollywood diva of 70s and 80s, Zeenat Aman. After years of suffering in silence, Zeenat Aman publicly acknowledged the abuse she faced during her marriage to fellow actor Mazhar Khan.

Speaking about it, she had once said, "I stayed because I believed marriage meant compromise. But there is no compromise in abuse."

Karisma Kapoor

Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor, who is currently engaged in a legal battle on behalf of her children with her former husband Sunjay Kapur's widow Priya Sachdev, had shocked fans when she filed for divorce from Sunjay.

In court filings, Karisma alleged emotional and physical abuse. One of her statements read:
“I was mentally and physically harassed. I was treated like a commodity.”

Her legal battle brought national attention to how domestic abuse often hides behind wealth, status, and privilege.

Rati Agnihotri

Bollywood's veteran actress Rati Agnihotri had also filed a police complaint accusing her husband of domestic violence and intimidation in 2015. She suffered the abuse for 30 long years and finally came out in public. "Rati Agnihotri, who married Anil Virwani in 1985 filed complaint against him on March 14 saying he had mentally tortured her besides assaulting her physically," said DCP S Jaykumar was quoted at that time.

Yukta Mookhey

Another beauty queen - former Miss World Yukta Mookhey had also filed a domestic violence against her husband Prince Tuli, in 2013. She accused him of domestic abuse, mental harassment, and dowry-related issues.

In her FIR, Yukta Mookhey had alleged that she was verbally abused, slapped, and subjected to cruelty shortly after marriage. She stated back then, “I faced continuous humiliation and physical abuse. I tolerated it for years for the sake of my child.”

The case generated a lot of media attention, exposing how even highly accomplished women are vulnerable behind closed doors.

Dimpy Ganguly

Model and reality TV personality Dimpy Ganguly got married to BJP MP Pramod Mahajan's son Rahul Mahajan during a reality TV show. It was later in 2010, Dimpy left Rahul's home alleging severe domestic violence. She went public and showed all the bruises and injuries she had suffered during her marriage with Rahul. “Rahul beat me mercilessly. He held me by my hair and punched me.” Dimpy eventually divorced Rahul Mahajan and is now married and , living a peaceful life in Dubai. She has three kids.

Daljiet Kaur

Television actress Daljiet Kaur had accused her ex-husband and actor Shalin Bhanot, of physical abuse and harassment. Daljiet had back then revealed disturbing details, including an alleged incident where she was pushed, dragged, and nearly strangled. In interviews, she said, “I was abused emotionally and physically. I walked out for my child’s safety.” Shalin denied all the allegations in the court. Since then Daljiet did go on to marry for the second time but that had also ended in separation. She has accused her second husband of cheating and is now raising her sonm Jaydon on her own.

Arzoo Govitrikar

Actress and model Arzoo Govitrikar, known for her work in films and television, filed a domestic violence complaint in 2021 against her husband Sidney Slater. In her statement, Arzoo had alleged verbal abuse, physical assault, and threats. She said back then, “I was slapped, pushed, and constantly intimidated. It was unbearable.”

Shweta Tiwari

One of Indian television’s biggest stars, Shweta Tiwari, has endured domestic violence in her two marriages. Her first husband and actor Raja Chaudhary, was known for alcohol-fueled violence, which she openly discussed: “He used to beat me regularly. My daughter would hide behind me crying.” Years later, she accused her second husband, Abhinav Kohli, of harassment and threatening behaviour toward her and daughter Palak Tiwari. Shweta filed police complaints and obtained protection orders, stating, “I refuse to let my children grow up in fear.”

Paridhi Sharma

Actress Paridhi Sharma, best known for her role of Rani Jodha in TV show Jodha Akbar, filed a complaint in 2015 against her husband Tanmay Saxena, accusing him of mental and physical abuse. According to reports stated that Paridhi revealed repeated harassment, controlling behavior, and alleged physical assault during their marriage. She confided to close sources, "I suffered silently for long, but it reached a point where I had to stand up for myself."