Nandish Sandhu, Rashami Desai
Nandish Sandhu, Rashami Desai

Rashami Desai and Nandish Sandhu have been in the headlines because of their divorce. A lot is being said about their relationship and the reason behind the divorce. While Nandish has still spoken about the issue, Rashami was keeping mum about it – but not anymore. In an exclusive interview with us, Rashami opened up about her relationship, separation, Nandish’s girlfriends and their current status.

On why she decided to speak up…

You know there’s a website called India Forums. They’ve been handling Nandish’s PR and I don’t have a problem but they’ve been giving one-sided stories from Nandish’s end. I’ve never felt the need to explain myself or my relationship to anyone – but there are all sorts of rumours that pin point me and claim that Nandish is completely innocent. In a marriage, I know it’s two people’s responsibility – but my relationship was always abusive.

On the rumours doing the rounds…

India Forums is making it super ugly. They’re only printing one-sided articles about him giving his 100%, when it’s just not true. What are you trying to prove? It’s false information. We’ve had problems for three years now. Why did I leave the house? I’ve never spoken about this – but mujhe humesha ghar se nikala jaataa! If he gave his 100% yeh cheezein hoti hi nahi na.

On being insecure…

I’ve never had a problem with any of his female friends. I’ve never doubted him regarding even one of them. And if I have, I’ve asked him directly. I’ve never spoken about this to people. And somehow suddenly all the problems are in me. I gave the relationship my 100%, then why should things be portrayed in this light?How will I be insecure? I’m always busy with work and travelling. I don’t have the time.

On Nandish having a girlfriend…

I have no idea if he’s dating someone or not. But even if he is in a relationship, I don’t have a problem. I wish him luck. He’s free to lead his life the way he wants to. My best wishes are always there. I’ve never had the need to ask him if any rumour about him is true, neither do I need to know. But to point fingers at me and claiming you did everything to save it – I’m sorry, my relationship was always abusive! I’ve not been staying with him for more than 3 years now, and there are so many things I could’ve revealed about him if I wanted to.

Rashami Desai, Nandish Sandhu
Rashami Desai, Nandish Sandhu

On the nature of ‘abuse’ in the relationship…

I don’t want to say anything in particular, but jo samajhne wale hain woh samajh jaenge.

On Nach Baliye…

I thought with Nach Baliye, maybe God has given us one more chance. But right after the show, again another incident happened, that’s when I decided for sure that I want to come out of the relationship. I wasn’t happy, he wasn’t happy.  I will be talking about these incidents if I’m bullied more. I will talk about it on a larger scale.

On their current status…

We aren’t talking at all. On the third day on Nach Baliye, something happened between us that we stopped talking. I’ve called him about 2-3 times since then to convey the fact that I want out of this relationship. I sent him a notice two years ago, which he kept avoiding. Two years later, his lawyers got in touch to say that he is ready for a mutual separation. I respected that and since then, our lawyers have been talking. We have no communication.

On why they kept getting back together…

I genuinely loved him. And I genuinely believe that a relationship needs to be built. And if you can’t continue, then it’s important to end it on a beautiful note. And the world is very small. Everyone crosses paths all the time. I’ve never seen things like this happening in my household. Women are never insulted. But I was disrespected for over 3 years and after a point, I knew this was just not happening. I thought after this, tum apne raaste jaao, main apne. But something else was only happening is why I decided to speak up.

On support from family and friends…

My family is very disturbed. I come from a very conservative family so when I opened up to my mother, it was very difficult for everyone. But she told me that whatever my decision is, she’ll accept it and respect it. Only my closest friends knew the kind of pain I was in. And they’re still with me. And everyone told me that I should talk about the issues too. But I was of the belief that bolne ki liye even I can say so many things, but what will we achieve from that? But today I realized that I should talk about everything and the shit I’ve gone through.

On how she’s doing…

How will I be doing? Maine bohot khushi se shaadi ki thhi rasmo-riwaaj ke sath ki thhi. And after that if things don’t work out, it’s very painful. I don’t know right now. I can’t trust anyone. I have seen horrible things.  I have everything today – a good house, a family… but everything hurts. I really loved him and I wanted to come out in a beautiful way, but he’s made it very ugly. I have seen very good times with him – but I’ve also seen very very bad times.