This is an archive article published on March 17, 2025

Delnaaz Irani opens up about divorce with Rajev Paul: ‘When there is no love and respect in relationship, it’s better to end it’

In an exclsuive interview with SCREEN, actress Delnaaz Irani shared why she ended her 14 year long marriage with Rajev Paul.

4 min readMumbaiMar 17, 2025 11:06 AM IST

Delnaaz Irani on divorce with Rajev Paul

Delnaaz Irani on divorce and separation with ex husband Rajev Paul (Photos: Delnaaz Irani, Rajev Paul / Instagram)

Actress Delnaaz Irani recently opened up about her previous marriage to actor Rajev Paul. In the latest episode of SCREEN’s Dear Me, Delnaaz spoke about ending her marriage of 14 years and explained what exactly led to their relationship biting the dust. Delnaaz and Rajev separated in 2010, and their divorce came through in 2012. While Delnaaz thanked him for various lessons she learned from him in life, she pointed out that with time, their relationship ran its course.

Talking about her separation from Rajev Paul, Delnaaz shared, “I was out of the marriage way before I actually got out of the marriage. Rajev keeps denying it, but even he had drifted apart. He doesn’t want to say it or has never said it, but it happens sometimes that there is no love or respect. For me, it is very important to have respect in the relationship. Today, when I say I love Percy, there is a lot of respect for the man. When there is no respect in the relationship, it’s best to move out.”

Also Read: Delnaaz Irani says she lost her father while going through divorce with Rajev Paul: ‘I have some guilt..’

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“There are people who choose to stay in the marriage, unhappy and cribbing all the time. But why should we lie to ourselves? I didn’t want to lead a life that was filled with lies. People do tell me that if we had a child together, I wouldn’t have left him, but all that is very hypothetical,” Delnaaz further added.

She even recalled the time she faced criticism for ignoring him on Bigg Boss and shared, “When we got married, I was 22 and a half, and he was barely 24, and we were so much in love. But we were struggling in life, we didn’t know whether we were going or coming. We have picked up the pieces and made our lives, and then somewhere, eventually, everything just fizzled out. We drifted apart, my marriage was over way before I separated. I still had hope that it will get sorted someday, but then, emotionally, physically, and mentally, if you’re off, it is done.”

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A post shared by Delnaaz irani (@officialdelnaazirani)

Also Read | Delnaaz Irani reveals she was going to miss Shah Rukh Khan’s death scene in Kal Ho Naa Ho, Nikhil Advani stopped her: ‘Every time I saw SRK, I had cold feet’

“A lot of random people during Bigg Boss also commented or talked about how he was behind me, but I didn’t pay heed to him. They don’t know. They have not lived my life and were not in my shoes. I was off. I am a Virgo; we are honest and loyal as long as a relationship lasts. Once we are out of something, we are completely out of it,” Delnaaz Irani explained.

On the work front, Delnaaz is currently seen on the TV show Mannat, which airs on Colors TV. Before this, she was seen in Zoya Akhtar’s film The Archies. Delnaaz was also a part of Kal Ho Naa Ho, which was recently re-released in the theaters.

Nawaz Javed Kochra

Nawaz Javed Kochra is a seasoned entertainment journalist at The Indian Express Online, bringing nearly a decade of expertise to the forefront of cultural reporting. With a focus on the television and Over-The-Top (OTT) landscapes, he has established himself as a prominent voice in the industry, known for his high-profile celebrity interviews and insightful coverage of the Indian entertainment sector. Experience & Career Nawaz holds a Master of Arts in Communication and Journalism from Mumbai University, providing him with a rigorous academic and ethical foundation. In his 11-year career, he has navigated through several of India's leading media houses, building a portfolio that spans digital, print, and broadcast media: The Indian Express: Currently leads coverage of TV and OTT content, producing both written analysis and popular video interview segments. Former Roles: He began his career at the iconic Stardust Magazine and later held key positions at Zoom TV, Zee Multimedia, MissMalini, Bollywood Bubble, and Raindrop Media. Expertise & Focus Areas Nawaz’s beat is characterized by a blend of exclusive access and trend analysis. His core areas of expertise include: Reality Television: Specialized coverage of major franchises like Bigg Boss, providing behind-the-scenes insights and winner profiles. OTT Ecosystem: Tracking the shift from traditional cable to digital streaming platforms, with a focus on web series and digital premieres. Celebrity Profiles & Interviews: Nawaz is celebrated for his ability to foster candid conversations with industry stalwarts, from music composers like Amaal Mallik to other TV legends. Investigative Entertainment News: Reporting on sensitive industry developments, including legal disputes and personal stories of resilience within the acting community. Authoritativeness & Trust With a reputation built on years of networking and credible reporting, Nawaz Kochra is a "known face" in the Mumbai media circuit. His work at The Indian Express adheres to the publication's "Journalism of Courage" standard, ensuring that even entertainment reporting is approached with accuracy, sensitivity, and transparency. His educational background and extensive tenure across diverse media platforms provide him with the authoritative perspective required to analyze the rapid evolution of Indian show business. ... Read More

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