‘Normal’ and ‘broken’ family - we hear these two terms quite often in our lives but we fail to understand that what’s common in both is they are dysfunctional. Yes, even a ‘normal’ family would have some dysfunctionalities in it, which they might refrain from talking about because of the societal pressure but it exists. For the ones coming from a ‘broken’ family, some would have understood what happened with their parents as to why they separated or the dysfunctionalities in their home, some would have a hard time dealing with it. For something that is not seen as normal and is considered as a taboo to be talked about, a broken home or a family can bring both happiness and pain, it’s on you, where you want to focus on in the long term. Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! fame, Renuka Shahane reveals how her parents' separation when she was young affected her childhood. (Also Read: Kareena Kapoor Khan Reveals Hubby, Saif Ali Khan Is Always The First To Apologise When They Fight)
Born to a Maharashtrian family, Renuka Shahane was very young when her father, Lt. Cdr. Vijay Kumar Shahane, an officer in the Indian Navy, and her mother, Shanta Gokhale, a theatre artist and film critic, had separated. Post their divorce, Shanta had married a filmmaker, Arun Khopkar, however, this too, didn’t last long and ended in separation. After her second divorce, Shanta dated her fellow film journalist, Jerry Pinto, and Renuka with her brother, Girish Shahane, grew up in Mumbai with their mother. Renuka had tied the knot with the love of her life, Ashutosh Rana in 2001 and the couple is blessed with two sons, Shauryaman Rana and Satyendra Rana.
Earlier this year, Renuka Shahane made her Hindi directorial debut with Netflix film, Tribhanga starring Tanvi Azmi, Kajol and Mithila Palkar. In a special episode of Netflix’s Behensplaining, Renuka spoke about her parents’ divorce when she was young and how it had affected her childhood. Revealing that parents encouraged their children to ostracise her, Renuka said, “My parents separated when I was eight. You know, people used to look at us and say we come from a ‘broken family’. I have had people saying, ‘Don’t play with them because they come from a broken family’. As if, it is like, maine haath lagaya hota unko toh unki bhi family break up hoti. I just don’t get it.”
Kajol, who was also a part of the show, revealed how she had an ‘amazing upbringing’ despite her parents, Shomu Mukherjee and Tanuja got divorced when she was four-and-a-half-year-old. Kajol said, “I had the most amazing upbringing ever. I am very lucky to have been brought up by such a forward-thinking, amazing person who taught me so much about life, growing up and about being an adult from the time that I was a child. But I totally get if it had gone even slightly wrong what it would have been like. My parents separated when I was about four-and-a-half years old and it could have gone very wrong. I have so many friends whose parents are together till today but not in the best spaces. They have not had great childhoods. I loved my father separately, I loved my mother separately and I loved them together as well.” (Also Read: Kunal Kemmu Recalls 'Dangerous' Experience Of Taimur Ali Khan And Inaaya Naumi Kemmu With Paparazzi)
Renuka Shahane was married to Vijay Kenkare, a Marathi theatre writer and director, but their marriage was short-lived and the couple had soon opted for divorce. Revealing that her failed marriage has done more good than harm, Renuka, in an interview with ShaadiTimes, was quoted as saying, "I did have insecurities before getting into another marriage, but I guess I was better equipped this time around. My first marriage has made me what I am today." As for Ashutosh, he had no doubt that she was the one for him. Ashutosh had said, "Her past didn't feature in any of our long discussions, there were no doubts on my part."
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Speaking of how marriage is not a bed of roses and why both believe that it requires a lot of effort, while Ashutosh Rana had said, "Marriage is not a bed of roses. You have to put a great deal of effort into marriage and remember that this is the woman you have chosen to be with, and you have to be there for her no matter what. You may have different opinions about certain things, it is essential for the both of you to have the same policy on life." Renuka Shahane was quoted as saying, "Being strong willed people, the secret to our marriage is having no ego and always finishing an argument. Identify the problem, discuss it and find a solution. Never sleep over an argument!" (Also Read: Sushmita Sen's Daughter, Renee Sen Reveals Why She Chose Not To Know Who Her Biological Parents Are)
Let us know what you think of the term dysfunctional family.
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