Actor Kamya Punjabi has spoken about the painful years of her first marriage, recalling alleged domestic violence, emotional distress and the moment she realised she needed to move forward with her life.
Actor Kamya Punjabi has spoken candidly about one of the most difficult periods of her life, opening up about the emotional pain and alleged domestic violence she says she experienced during her first marriage.
In a recent interview with Siddharth Kannan, Kamya reflected on her marriage to businessman Bunty Negi, describing how a relationship she once believed would last forever gradually became deeply unhappy.
The actor said she was 25 when she got married after being in a relationship for three years. Looking back, she said there had already been frequent disagreements and arguments before the wedding, and in hindsight, the couple may have needed to reconsider their decision to marry.
Kamya said she nevertheless continued with the relationship because of the emotional intensity associated with first love and her belief that the marriage could still work.
‘We Were Already Not Getting Along’
Kamya recalled that conflicts had become a regular part of their relationship even before the marriage.
She said there had been a point when they could have decided not to go ahead with the wedding, recognising that they might not have been right for each other.
However, she said that her feelings at the time made it difficult to walk away.
According to Kamya, her parents had also expressed concerns about the relationship and had advised her that they were not right for each other. But she said she was not prepared to listen.
For Kamya, the relationship represented her first love, and she believed it was the person she was meant to be with.
That belief, she said, played a major role in her decision to continue trying to make the marriage work.
Why Kamya Says She Stayed for So Long
Kamya said some people have questioned why she remained in the marriage for so many years, with some telling her that she had “wasted” 13 years.
But the actor said she does not see it that way.
According to her, she stayed because she wanted to know that she had genuinely tried everything possible to save the relationship.
She said she gave the marriage her full effort so that if she eventually decided to leave, she would not carry the regret of wondering whether she had given up too soon.
Her comments reflect the complex emotional circumstances that can make it difficult for people to leave unhappy or abusive relationships.
Kamya Punjabi Opens Up About Domestic Violence
In the interview, Kamya also spoke about experiencing domestic violence during the marriage.
She recalled periods when she would use makeup to cover marks on her face before appearing in public.
The contrast between her private experiences and her public life was something that deeply affected her, she said.
Kamya recalled one occasion when she was preparing to attend an awards event while dealing privately with the consequences of the violence she had experienced.
She described questioning herself and wondering why she was continuing to present a composed public image while dealing with such painful circumstances behind closed doors.
Her account highlighted the emotional burden of trying to maintain normalcy in professional and public spaces while experiencing serious difficulties in one’s personal life.
Hiding the Pain Behind Makeup
Kamya said she often concealed what she was going through from people around her.
According to her, there were times when she would apply heavy makeup before going out so that the marks on her face would not be visible.
She also recalled reporting for rehearsals and professional commitments while attempting to hide the signs of what she was experiencing.
Those around her, she said, were often unaware of the situation.
Kamya described moments when she would break down privately, including inside her vanity van, before returning to perform and interact with others as though everything was normal.
The actor also recalled shutting herself away and crying for long periods, sometimes spending an entire night alone in the bathroom.
When Her Daughter Witnessed an Argument
Kamya said a major turning point came when her daughter, Aara, witnessed one of the arguments.
The experience made her reassess the situation and her future.
For many people facing difficult relationships, decisions about whether and when to leave can involve emotional, family, financial and practical considerations. Kamya’s account focused on her own experience and the gradual process through which she reached the decision to move on.
She eventually separated from Bunty Negi after years of marriage.
A Relationship That Lasted Nearly 13 Years
Kamya Punjabi was married to Bunty Negi for nearly 13 years, and the former couple share their daughter, Aara.
The actor has previously spoken about the challenges she faced during that period and the emotional journey involved in rebuilding her life after the marriage ended.
Her latest comments offer a more personal account of the difficulties she says she experienced, including the impact the relationship had on her confidence, emotional well-being and professional life.
Finding a New Chapter
After the end of her first marriage, Kamya eventually found love again.
In 2020, she married Shalabh Dang and began a new chapter in her personal life.
Her journey from an unhappy relationship to rebuilding her life has made her story resonate with many people who have followed her career and personal journey over the years.
Kamya’s decision to speak openly about her experiences also highlights an important reality: people facing domestic violence may continue to appear completely normal to colleagues, friends and the public.
Professional success or a visible public life does not necessarily reveal what a person may be experiencing privately.
Kamya Punjabi’s Account Brings Attention to Domestic Violence
Kamya’s interview is also a reminder of the importance of taking allegations of domestic violence seriously and responding to survivors with empathy rather than judgment.
Her comments illustrate why questions about why someone stayed in a difficult relationship for a long period can overlook the complex realities involved.
People may remain in such relationships for many reasons, including emotional attachment, family considerations, fear, financial circumstances, hope that the situation will improve or the desire to make every possible effort before deciding to leave.
Kamya’s story is her own personal account of her experiences, and her decision to speak about them publicly reflects the deeply personal journey she described in the interview.
The Bottom Line
Kamya Punjabi has spoken honestly about a painful chapter of her life, recalling an unhappy first marriage, alleged domestic violence and the emotional effort involved in eventually deciding to move on.
She says she spent years trying to make the relationship work because she wanted to be certain that she had done everything she could before walking away.
Her memories of using makeup to conceal injuries before professional appearances reveal the stark difference she says existed between her public image and private struggles.
Today, Kamya has moved on to a new chapter of life and is married to Shalabh Dang.
Her account is a reminder that personal struggles are often invisible to the outside world and that compassion, understanding and support can matter deeply to people navigating difficult relationships.
