Actress Kalki Koechlin, known for her unflinching honesty and depth in both her performances and public statements, has once again bared her heart — this time about the emotional aftermath of her separation from filmmaker Anurag Kashyap. In a recent conversation, Kalki candidly reflected on the pain she experienced after the end of their marriage, particularly the difficulty of seeing her former partner with someone new.
Kalki and Anurag, who got married in 2011 and later parted ways in 2015, were one of Bollywood’s most unconventional couples. Their union had brought together two creative minds from very different worlds — her with her theatre and indie film background, and him, a maverick filmmaker known for pushing cinematic boundaries. While the marriage didn’t last, it was their quiet dignity post-separation that drew public admiration.
Speaking about the emotional turmoil she went through after their divorce, Kalki admitted, “It was hurtful to see the other person with somebody else. That kind of pain doesn’t just vanish overnight. There were times I questioned myself, wondered if I lacked something or had failed in some way.”
She went on to add that even though they had separated on relatively amicable terms, the feelings of loss and grief were inevitable. “We both knew that our paths were diverging, that we were looking for different things in life. But that doesn’t mean the heart follows logic. Watching someone you’ve shared a life with, move on, can bring up a storm of emotions,” she said.
Kalki also touched upon the societal pressure that adds to the emotional weight of a separation, especially for women. “There’s this unspoken expectation that women must move on quietly, not show hurt, not question, not falter. But healing is messy, and it’s okay to acknowledge that,” she said.
The actress, who is now in a healthy relationship with her partner Guy Hershberg, with whom she shares a daughter, added that time, therapy, and a deep focus on self-awareness helped her cope with those early difficult days. “There were nights I cried, but there were also mornings I felt lighter. Over time, I realized the importance of accepting the reality and honoring the relationship for what it was — beautiful in parts, flawed in others, but still worth remembering with grace.”
Kalki and Anurag have maintained a respectful relationship since their divorce. Both have spoken highly of each other in various interviews, acknowledging each other’s influence on their lives and artistic growth. Kalki even featured in Anurag’s projects post their separation, showing that mutual respect continued to bind them, even as life took them in different directions.
Reflecting on how far she has come since those days, Kalki shared, “I’ve reached a space where I can look back without resentment. There’s empathy now — for myself and for him. We were two people trying to do our best with what we knew back then.”
Her story is a powerful reminder that even in the glittering world of showbiz, stars face the same heartbreaks, insecurities, and healing journeys that everyone else does. Kalki’s openness adds yet another layer to her public persona — that of a woman who isn’t afraid to be vulnerable and real, even in a world that often demands the opposite.
As she continues to make bold career choices and embrace motherhood with grace, Kalki remains a figure of strength, resilience, and emotional honesty — inspiring many to accept their wounds and wear them with dignity.
