Jayam Ravi dismisses ex-wife Aarti’s claim he blindsided her with divorce news, says he felt suffocated in the marriage: ‘I want custody of my sons’

In a conversation with Hindustan Times, Ravi opened up a lot more about the circumstances of his divorce, and dismissed Aarti’s claims that she was caught unawares by his decision. He revealed that Aarti hasn’t responded to two legal notices that were sent from his end. “Does this behaviour look like she wanted to reconcile with me?” asked Ravi, who shared that the legal proceedings were already underway when he put out the statement. “I was forced to make the divorce announcement public because there were so many rumours, and I am answerable to my fans.”  

Addressing the other set of rumours involving him and Kenishaa Francis, Ravi shared that he does have plans of starting a spiritual healing centre with the singer, but it doesn’t have anything to do with the divorce. “This reflects badly on me and it also reflects badly on others involved, like our families. Has anyone thought about that?” asked Ravi.

Ravi also took this opportunity to reveal his side of things with respect to Aarti’s allegations that she was completely blindsided by the divorce proceedings, and he was inaccessible to her. “Both our families and she and I had a discussion about this together. Then they gave us space and she and I had a separate conversation and I told her clearly this is what I wanted. I spoke to her father too,” said Ravi, who went on to argue if Aarti’s claims could still seem valid. He refrained from talking about what lead to the divorce with Aarti because it is his private life. However, Ravi did share that he felt suffocated after a point, and he walked out of his house with nothing but his car. “I am a nomad now,” said Ravi.  

ALSO READ: Jayam Ravi’s ex-wife Aarti says she found out about divorce through his announcement: ‘My children and I were blindsided’

Since the split, the actor revealed that he has shifted base to Mumbai, but keeps visiting Chennai, and stays in and out of hotels wherever he goes. “I was here for my elder son Aarav’s birthday in June. I am very much accessible to my children, Aarav and Ayaan,” said Ravi, who revealed his plans of fighting for the custody of his sons, and taking the legal recourse, however long it takes, to get the divorce and the custody. “My future is my children,” said the actor, adding that his dream is to launch Aarav in cinema at the right time. The father-son duo have previously acted together in the 2018 film, Tik Tik Tik. When asked if he has spoken to his children about the decision to split, Ravi revealed that he has spoken to the 14-year-old Aarav and explained the situation. “Ayaan is just eight and too small to understand.”

Not adding fuel to speculations about Aarti’s mother Sujata Vijayakumar being a reason for the split between the now-estranged couple, Ravi prefers remaining non-committal to this line of rumours. “I have clearly said in my statement that everyone should respect our privacy,” said the actor, who shared that the first hearing of the divorce case would happen in October. “There’s no going back – I want a divorce.”

On the acting front, his upcoming film, Brother, will hit the screens this Diwali. Apart from this M Rajesh film, Ravi will also be seen in Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi’ Kadhalikka Neramillai and Arjunan Jr’s Genie. The Ponniyin Selvan actor shared that he wouldn’t rush and sign films anymore, take time for pre-production, and then go on sets. “Things will be different going forward.”