Piloo Vidyarthi On Retaining Ex-Husband Ashish Vidyarthi's Surname: 'What Do I Have To Prove?'
Actor Ashish Vidyarthi, 61, married Rupali Barua in 2023. His ex-wife Piloo Vidyarthi discussed life post-divorce, modern relationships, and her openness to love but not marriage.
It was the year 2023. Actor Ashish Vidyarthi, 61, emerged as the newsmaker of the year after he announced his wedding to Assam-based fashion entrepreneur Rupali Barua. Soon after, the actor appeared in front of the camera multiple times to douse the commotion around his second wedding. However, one person remained silent while Ashish became news – his first wife, Piloo Vidyarthi. The duo parted ways on an amicable note after 22 years of marriage, and it's been two years since then. However, the surname 'Vidyarthi' still flashes brightly on Piloo's Instagram profile. In an exclusive conversation with News18 Showsha, the actor spoke about life after divorce, why she still uses Vidyarthi as her surname, and her current outlook on love and companionship.
When asked about still using the surname 'Vidyarthi', Piloo explained, 'The Indian system is complicated. There are so many things you need to consider before altering your name or surname. I am still struggling to change my address on my Aadhar card. If you marry again, the surname change becomes easier." She added that for her, the name carries a history and doesn't need to be altered unless there's a strong reason. 'I don't find a powerful reason to change it. Neither Ashish has a problem with it nor I. Actually, what do I have to prove my changing my surname? It has worked for me."
Talking about ex-husband's Ashish's current wife, she said, 'Rupali is now writing Barua [referencing to the fact that she was Piloo Barua before her wedding]. I write Vidyarthi and she never has any issue with it. She is also a very simple person."
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Piloo Vidyarthi on 'moving on' from her divorce to Ashish Vidyarthi
Piloo offered a thought-provoking take on modern relationships, calling most marriages 'pretentious and dishonest." She spoke with honesty about how both she and Ashish are 'different kinds of human beings" who went their separate ways with mutual respect. 'He found a person he deserves. A clean soul," she said, expressing goodwill for her ex-husband, further adding, 'It's over and I've moved on."
Piloo Vidyarthi reveals if she is open to love
When asked if she herself had moved on from her divorce, the Akelli star replied in affirmative: 'Yes, I have. I don't feel a lack of anything. I don't miss any luxury. But sure, there are small things, like not having a partner." However, she clarified that she has no intentions of remarrying, 'I'm open to love if at all, but not remarriage at this point in time."
The actor also shared her thoughts on the world of online dating apps and joked, 'It doesn't work for me. I can't meet people like that." Yet she remains hopeful, 'If a connection happens naturally, I'm open to it."
Piloo Vidyarthi had two back-to-back releases on July 25. She was a part of Dharma Productions' Sarzameen, starring Kajol, Prithviraj Sukumaran and Ibrahim Ali Khan, and Yash Raj Films' Mandala Murders, featuring Vaani Kapoor.
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