Actress Esha Deol, daughter of cinematic legends Hema Malini and Dharmendra, has opened up about the challenges of her new life as a single parent following her divorce from businessman Bharat Takhtani in early 2024. The couple, who were married for 11 years and share two daughters, announced their separation with a joint statement, emphasizing that their children’s welfare would remain their top priority.
In a candid throwback interview with The Quint, Esha admitted that while the transition has been difficult, her daughters remain the central focus of her life. She confessed that single parenthood can feel “overwhelming” at times but stated that ensuring her daughters’ happiness and stability is her most important responsibility.
“Let’s Give Our Kids the Best”: On Co-Parenting with an Ex
Esha also spoke at length about the importance of co-parenting and setting aside personal differences for the sake of the children. “When kids are involved, it is important to let your ego aside and have the threshold,” she said. “At the end of the day, we are parents to these beautiful kids. Let’s give them the best.”
She added that when parents prioritize their children above personal conflicts, it can naturally soften the bond between ex-partners and allow them to take on new roles to co-parent effectively. “For your kids, you have to be a unit,” she stressed. “That unit can’t break. Maybe the other unit has broken but for your kids, be that one unit.” The actress stated that while co-parenting can be difficult, the key is to “keep trying” and “not give up” on making it work.
Career and Motherhood: A Conscious Choice
When asked about her decision to take a break from her acting career, Esha revealed it was a conscious and personal choice to focus on her family. “My break was purely to start a family and I embraced motherhood twice over,” she explained, adding that she always dreamed of a life that balanced her professional journey with marriage and children. She also mentioned that her daughters now enjoy seeing their mother on screen, which continues to inspire her as an actor and a parent.