Poonam Dhillon Shares Candid Thoughts on Divorce, Singlehood, and Rediscovering Herself

Veteran actress Poonam Dhillon, known for her grace, charm, and versatile roles during Bollywood’s golden era of the 80s and 90s, recently opened up about her personal life in an unusually candid reflection. In an era where celebrity culture is often guarded, Poonam’s willingness to revisit her marriage, divorce, and what followed has struck a chord with many. In a heartfelt conversation, she admitted that after her nine-year-long marriage ended, she found herself navigating an unfamiliar world — one where dating and meeting new people felt alien to her.

Her revelations offer not only a window into the personal life of a beloved public figure but also speak to a broader generation of women who, like her, were conditioned to prioritize family and duty above personal exploration.

💍 A Marriage Built on Tradition

Poonam Dhillon married film producer Ashok Thakeria in 1988 at the height of her career. While she had just emerged as one of Bollywood’s most successful actresses — known for hits like Noorie, Yeh Vaada Raha, and Teri Kasam — her decision to marry and gradually step back from the limelight reflected the expectations placed on women of her time.

“It was the natural course,” she has said in the past. “At a certain age, women were expected to settle down — and I did.”

Her marriage, though initially happy, was not immune to the challenges of the entertainment world, conflicting priorities, and changing personal dynamics. After nine years, the couple parted ways, amicably but permanently. They had two children together — a son and a daughter — both of whom have since grown into confident individuals, often seen accompanying her at public events.

💔 The Pain of Divorce, and the Silence Around It

Speaking about the pain of her divorce, Poonam reflected on how emotionally jarring it was to separate after nearly a decade of building a life together. Divorce, especially in the 1990s, carried a heavy stigma in Indian society. For public figures, the scrutiny was even more intense.

“It was a lonely phase,” she admitted. “You’re trying to hold yourself together, especially for your children, but at the same time, you’re suddenly forced to rediscover who you are outside of that identity.”

What made it harder for her was the fact that, like many women of her generation, she had little to no experience with dating or meeting new people outside of marriage. “I was never exposed to that side of life,” she said. “We didn’t have the freedom or the culture of dating. Everything happened in a very sheltered, traditional manner.”

🌐 Relearning the World, One Step at a Time

In her post-divorce life, Poonam Dhillon found herself not just a single mother, but a woman forced to navigate a world that had evolved socially and culturally from when she was younger. The rise of dating apps, changing relationship norms, and greater openness in conversations around love and companionship were not part of the world she had grown up in — nor the one she had married in.

“It was a different world,” she reflected. “People would talk about dating casually, but for me, it was an unfamiliar concept. I had never met people in that context. I didn’t know how to read signals, how to put myself out there.”

Her honesty about this discomfort is striking — particularly in an industry where many brush over personal transitions. But for Poonam, every step forward was a step into unfamiliar territory, one that required courage and self-reliance.

👩‍👧 Motherhood First

One of the defining aspects of Poonam’s journey post-divorce was her focus on her children. She took immense pride in being a hands-on parent, choosing to raise them with strong values and emotional security.

“I didn’t want them to ever feel the absence of a stable home,” she has often said. “Their father was always around, and we co-parented peacefully. But I made sure I was their anchor.”

Because of her commitment to motherhood, she placed personal life on the backburner. The idea of dating or finding a new partner remained secondary — not just because she was unfamiliar with the idea, but because her children came first. “I didn’t want to bring uncertainty into their lives,” she said.

🎬 Work as Healing and Reinvention

After her divorce, Poonam made a gradual return to acting and took on roles in television, theatre, and even politics. She became known for her work ethic, calm persona, and a dignified public presence.

Her return wasn’t just about career—it was a process of healing and rediscovery. “Work gave me purpose,” she said. “It reminded me of who I was before everything — before marriage, before heartbreak.”

She also became an advocate for women’s empowerment, speaking often about how women need to reclaim their identities beyond their relationships. Her lived experience allowed her to relate to women who had felt overlooked, unheard, or stuck in traditional roles.

💬 Learning to Open Up

In her recent interviews, there’s a noticeable shift in how Poonam Dhillon talks about her life. She’s more open, more willing to explore vulnerability, and more connected to her audience through honesty.

“I used to keep things to myself,” she shared. “I felt like people didn’t need to know. But over time, I’ve realized that sharing is powerful. If my story can help even one woman feel seen, feel understood — then it’s worth it.”

Her narrative is not one of victimhood but resilience. She doesn’t express bitterness toward her past, nor regret about her choices. Instead, there is a quiet acknowledgment of growth — that she didn’t have all the tools to navigate her post-divorce world, but she adapted, learned, and thrived.

❤️ What She Wants Now

When asked if she’s open to love again, Poonam doesn’t give a definite yes or no. Instead, she offers something more nuanced.

“I think companionship is important,” she says. “But it has to come naturally. I’m not chasing anything. I’m at peace with who I am.”

She believes that love is possible at any age but also feels that modern-day dating culture requires a certain openness she’s still coming to terms with.

“I don’t think I’ve fully learned how to date,” she laughs. “But I’ve definitely learned how to love myself.”

🌸 A Quiet Inspiration

Poonam Dhillon’s story stands as a quiet inspiration to many women navigating transitions in life — be it marriage, motherhood, separation, or solitude. In an era of oversharing and performative vulnerability, her story resonates because of its restraint and its truth.

She didn’t have the roadmap. She didn’t always have the words. But she found her strength in presence, in parenting, and eventually, in self-love.

For all those who were “never exposed” to life beyond tradition, Poonam Dhillon offers a comforting truth: It’s never too late to discover yourself, to grow, and to write a new chapter — no matter how unexpected.