When Shatrughan Sinha explained why he married Poonam despite his affair with Reena Roy: ‘I was compelled…’

The announcement left many stunned. Years later, in an interview with Rajiv Shukla, the Heera actor reflected on his decision. When asked, “Reena Roy se aapka romance chal raha tha, par shaadi aapne Poonam se kar li (You were romancing Reena Roy, but you married Poonam. Why?),” Shatrughan responded, “Hota hai kabhi jeevan mein. Insaan kabhi aise mod pe aake khada ho jata hai jaha faisala karna bahut mushkil hota hai. Par jab faisala kar lia jata hai toh shayad woh sabke haq mein nahi hota hai (Sometimes in life, one reaches a juncture where making a decision becomes very difficult. But once the decision is made, it may not always be in everyone’s favour).”

In another candid interview, Shatrughan Sinha admitted that despite deciding to marry Poonam, he was hesitant and even contemplated remaining a bachelor. He told Stardust magazine, “My strongest emotion at that time was fear. I was very scared. I was happy being a bachelor, but I had reached a point where I was compelled to make the decision. Till the last moment, I wanted to back out. The wedding was in Bombay, and I was in London. I caught the last flight which just about brought me in time for the wedding. Poonam was in a state – she thought I was backing out. Poonam has been good to me. If there are any flaws in this marriage, then the drawbacks are mine, not hers.”

While Poonam was preparing for their wedding, Shatrughan was in London for a stage show with Reena. “Yes, I wasn’t even around for the wedding preparations,” he acknowledged in his biography.

Post-marriage, Shatrughan Sinha continued to stay in touch with Reena Roy, which understandably troubled Poonam. He addressed this challenging phase in his book, admitting, “It was a difficult period for me also because withdrawing from an emotional entanglement elsewhere was taking its time. Promi (Poonam) used to cry a lot, but she knew I was trying my best. Sorting out our lives took its own time because it was a question of a commitment to the other party also. When I was with her (Reena) outside, I was faced with the question, ‘You’ve set up your home. So was I a toy to be used and cast away?’ It was not a comfortable position to be in.”

Three years after Shatrughan and Poonam’s wedding, Reena Roy moved on and married former Pakistani cricketer Mohsin Khan in 1983. However, their marriage ended in separation in 1992, and Reena chose to remain single thereafter. Meanwhile, Shatrughan and Poonam embraced family life, welcoming their twins, Luv and Khush, in 1983 and their daughter Sonakshi in 1987.