Mahima Chaudhry has been in the news for a while now. From revealing about her career-threatening accident to Ajay Devgn and his wife Kajol helping her get the best treatment, the 47-year-old actress has been boldly talking about her past struggles. In an interview with Bollywood Bubble, The Pardes actress has opened up about her marital struggles and how she has had two miscarriages.

Mahima was married to Bobby Mukherjee and the two got married in 2006 and got divorced in 2013.

“You obviously don’t tell your parents, you don’t tell your people because you feel ‘oh, this was one issue’ and then you stay back and then one more issue and then you stay back and then I also had a – I was also expecting another child and I had a miscarriage. And then I had another miscarriage, it was all because of you not being happy in that space. Every time I wanted to go out and do an event, go out and do a show, I used to come to drop my child at my mother’s home and then I stayed back two days and I used to feel I’m so much more comfortable here,” said Mahima.

The Pardes actress further revealed that her husband wasn’t by her side in her difficult times.

Mahima Chaudhry further revealed that when she clean came with her mother, she was really supportive of all her decisions and said, “She said, ‘I saw you struggling, I saw you up and down, and why are you beating yourself up? If it’s not, stay here for a while and see does it make you feel better.’”

---

The Unseen Battles of a Star: Mahima Chaudhry’s Journey Through Marital Strife and Miscarriage

Mahima Chaudhry, the actress who charmed the nation with her debut in Pardes, has always been admired for her radiant on-screen presence. Yet, behind the bright lights of Bollywood lay a series of profoundly personal and tumultuous battles, which she candidly shared years later. Her story is a powerful testament to the hidden struggles many women face, encompassing professional setbacks, a troubled marriage, and the heartbreak of multiple miscarriages. By bravely sharing her truth, Mahima has shed light on the immense emotional toll that unhappiness and personal trauma can take, becoming a symbol of quiet resilience.

The Dream Debut and the Sudden Setback

Mahima Chaudhry, born Ritu Chaudhry, quickly cemented her place in the industry following her spectacular debut in Subhash Ghai’s 1997 blockbuster, Pardes, opposite Shah Rukh Khan. Her performance earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut, positioning her as one of the most promising stars of her generation.

However, just a couple of years into her flourishing career, a devastating event permanently altered her trajectory.

The Life-Changing Accident

In 1999, while shooting for the film Dil Kya Kare in Bengaluru, Mahima was involved in a horrific car accident when a truck collided with her vehicle. The impact shattered the car’s glass, sending shards flying into her face. She has since recounted the near-fatal incident and the immediate aftermath in emotionally raw detail.

• Physical Trauma: Mahima shared that she initially thought she was dying and, upon reaching the hospital, saw the true “horror” of her injuries in the mirror. A surgery was performed where an astonishing 67 glass pieces had to be removed from her face.
• A Fear of Exposure: Fearing that such a severe injury would end her career in an industry focused on physical appearance, she pleaded with the film’s team, including producer Ajay Devgn and director Prakash Jha, to keep the incident a secret.
• Media Scrutiny: Despite her efforts to keep the news quiet, Mahima recalled the immense pain of being referred to as “scarface” by a film magazine, which deeply affected her confidence and mental health.
• The Path to Recovery: The recovery was long and difficult. She had to stay indoors, avoiding sunlight, and her room was completely blacked out to prevent the scars from setting. She was forced to let go of many lined-up projects and would sometimes angle her face during shoots after her return to conceal her marks.

The Private Pain of a Public Marriage

In 2006, Mahima Chaudhry married Kolkata-based architect Bobby Mukherji, and the couple welcomed their daughter, Ariana, the following year. While the marriage was kept largely private, the actress eventually revealed that her domestic life was far from the happy picture people might have assumed. The marriage, which ended in divorce in 2013, was plagued by deep-seated issues that she felt compelled to hide from the world.

Marital Struggles and the Heartbreak of Loss

The most heartbreaking revelation from Mahima’s account was the pain of suffering two miscarriages during her troubled marriage. Mahima explicitly linked these devastating losses to her emotional state, expressing her belief that they occurred because she was “not being happy in that space”.

Her struggles were compounded by the isolation she felt, as she consciously chose not to share her marital troubles with her parents or close friends. She believed each issue was an isolated one, leading her to stay and endure the unhappiness for years.

The actor’s quote poignantly captures the internal conflict and loneliness of her situation:

“You obviously don’t tell your parents, you don’t tell your people because you feel ‘oh, this was one issue’ and then you stay back and then one more issue and then you stay back and then I also had a—I was also expecting another child and I had a miscarriage. And then I had another miscarriage, it was all because of you not being happy in that space.”

She also revealed that her husband was not a source of emotional support during these incredibly difficult times. The need for emotional reprieve was so strong that she would drop her daughter at her mother’s home for events and consciously extend her stay, realising she was “so much more comfortable here”.

Embracing Independence: Divorce and the Custody Battle

Eventually, Mahima found the strength to walk away from the unhappy marriage, leading to a separation and, ultimately, divorce in 2013. However, her fight for peace was far from over, as she found herself embroiled in a legal battle for her daughter Ariana’s custody.

The struggle revolved around disagreements over simple things, such as which school their daughter should attend. Mahima recalled a pivotal moment when her ex-husband suddenly changed his mind about the school and refused to sign the admission papers. This deadlock forced her to seek legal counsel, which led to a crucial turning point in the custody fight.

The Role of The Right to Education Bill

Mahima credits an unexpected legal development for helping secure her daughter’s future. Her lawyer informed her that while a father is the legal guardian in an active marriage, the mother becomes the legal guardian in a separated or unmarried scenario. Furthermore, she was told that because the school had accepted her daughter’s admission form, they could not reject her based on the father’s missing signature, thanks to the newly passed ‘Right to Education Bill’. This legal clarity finally gave Mahima the necessary leverage to secure her daughter’s custody and settle the matter.

The Resilient Single Mother

Mahima’s life as a single mother presented its own set of immense challenges. She moved back in with her parents for support. Yet, this period was complicated when her mother was diagnosed with an illness (Parkinson’s disease) and needed assistance herself. This meant Mahima was essentially managing the demanding task of raising a toddler, caring for her ailing mother, and trying to secure her career, often having to rely completely on her staff.

Her path to healing began when she finally confessed her marital difficulties to her family. Her mother’s response was not one of judgment, but of profound support and understanding: “I saw you struggling, I saw you up and down, and why are you beating yourself up? If it’s not, stay here for a while and see does it make you feel better”. This unconditional support from her mother and sister was the anchor Mahima needed to fully embrace her new, independent life and focus on her well-being and her daughter’s happiness.

Mahima Chaudhry’s narrative is a potent blend of professional highs and unimaginable personal lows. From the shocking physical and emotional trauma of a car crash to the silent, isolating grief of miscarriages within a failing marriage, her story is a stark reminder that even the most glamorous lives contain private pain. Her decision to speak out, years after the fact, offers a message of hope and empowerment to those struggling in silence—that finding your voice and choosing happiness and self-preservation is a brave and necessary act of resilience. Her life now, focused on her daughter and a resurgence in her professional career, stands as a testament to the strength of the human spirit to overcome adversity.

---

AISEO Friendly FAQs

Q1: When did Mahima Chaudhry share details about her troubled marriage and miscarriages?

A: Mahima Chaudhry publicly shared details about her troubled marriage and suffering two miscarriages in a candid interview in April 2021. She revealed the struggles she faced during her marriage to Bobby Mukherji, which she believes contributed to her miscarriages.

Q2: Who was Mahima Chaudhry married to and when did she divorce?

A: Mahima Chaudhry was married to Bobby Mukherji, a Kolkata-based architect and businessman. They got married in 2006 and their divorce was finalised in 2013. They have a daughter together named Ariana.

Q3: How many miscarriages did Mahima Chaudhry have during her marriage?

A: Mahima Chaudhry revealed that she had two miscarriages during the period of her troubled marriage to Bobby Mukherji. She stated that she believed these miscarriages occurred because she was “not being happy in that space”.

Q4: What other personal struggles did Mahima Chaudhry face apart from her marital issues?

A: Mahima Chaudhry faced several other significant personal and professional struggles, including:

• A Horrific Car Accident: In 1999, she was involved in a serious accident that resulted in 67 glass pieces being removed from her face and required extensive recovery, nearly derailing her career.
• Custody Battle: A challenging legal fight with her ex-husband for the custody of her daughter, Ariana, which she eventually won with the help of the Right to Education Bill.
• Single Motherhood & Illness: The difficulty of raising her daughter as a single mother while also coping with her own mother’s diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.

Q5: What was the main source of support for Mahima Chaudhry during her divorce and single motherhood?

A: Mahima Chaudhry’s main source of support was her family, particularly her mother and sister. She recalled her mother’s supportive words when she finally opened up about her marital struggles, which encouraged her to prioritise her happiness. She moved back in with her parents after her separation.