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Remember Chhutki from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge — Kajol’s chirpy younger sister who won hearts with her energy and innocence? The actress who played her, Pooja Ruparel, is in fact the real-life cousin of actress Sonakshi Sinha. Pooja’s mother was the sister of Poonam Sinha, Sonakshi Sinha’s mother. While Pooja made her acting debut in 1993, her career in films never took off as expected. Behind the cheerful characters she portrayed on screen, her real life was marked by loss, struggle, and a long battle with depression. She lost her father at a young age and took on the responsibility of caring for her mother and younger sister. Sadly, Pooja also lost her mother, after which Poonam became her emotional pillar. Later, during the Covid-19 pandemic, she even had suicidal thoughts — until yoga helped her heal and find balance again.
In a recent conversation with Siddharth Kannan, Pooja — who now works as a stand-up comedian and writer — opened up about that dark time and how her aunt supported her.
“They have been very supportive — especially Sonakshi’s mom,” Pooja shared. “She’s adorable! She sends me cooked mutton because it’s my favourite — and she makes it really well. She’s my mother’s sister, and after mom passed away, she completely took me under her wing. She said, ‘Don’t worry, I am there.’ She’s seen me since childhood, and that makes our bond even stronger.”
Pooja added, “After my mother died, she made sure I never felt alone. She’s always been there for me. Many times, I call her just to share what’s going on in my life. Other times, she sends me those typical WhatsApp forwards,” she laughed.
Pooja also addressed her relationship with Sonakshi Sinha, clarifying that she never sought her cousin’s help for work.
“I don’t think Sonakshi and I have ever discussed work,” she said. “All I remember is my mother would message her after every film, so proud of her niece. Now, I have taken over that duty — I text her after each release. I have seen her since she was a child, and I am very proud of her. But we have never talked about work.”
Reflecting on her lowest phase during the pandemic, Pooja revealed she had suicidal thoughts but chose not to confide in her family. “I never told Sonakshi about it — I am a very private person. I only share things once I have come out of them. When I met her at her wedding, I did mention it was a tough time. But honestly, it was a tough time for the entire world. The pandemic affected everyone’s mental health. The whole planet had such thoughts.”
Pooja also addressed the rumours surrounding Sonakshi’s brothers, Luv and Kussh Sinha, who reportedly didn’t attend her wedding. “I am not here to give gossip,” she said firmly. “I have met Zaheer, and he’s one of the funniest men I have met. I love him! I don’t understand how people are so jobless to discuss such things. Luv and Sonakshi have worked together in a full-fledged film, Nikita Roy. If they were on bad terms, would they have done that? The whole family appeared together on The Great Indian Kapil Show. People just love to gossip.”
Nikita Roy, released in 2025, marked the directorial debut of Kussh Sinha. The film was announced in 2022 but failed to perform at the box office.
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