4 min readNew DelhiNov 10, 2025 10:30 AM IST
First published on: Nov 10, 2025 at 10:30 AM IST
Parmeet Sethi recently opened up about a challenging chapter in his marriage with actor Archana Puran Singh. In a candid conversation with their son Aaryamann Sethi on his YouTube channel, the Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge actor reflected on their relationship struggles and how he eventually found a way to cope. “We were going through a bad time as a husband and wife. It was tense and humari bahut kich-kich ho rahi thi (we used to argue a lot),” he revealed, adding that meditation played a major role in helping him process buried emotions.
Parmeet credited the Art of Living course, which Archana encouraged him to take, with bringing about emotional breakthroughs. “I did Art of Living Course, Archana forced me to do it. We were going through a bad time as a husband and wife, very tense, and we were fighting a lot. After the course, all the things bottled inside me came out, and for the first time, I cried loudly for my sister who had died earlier, I cried to my heart’s content,” he shared. “I used to diet a lot during that time, but during the meditation, I imagined myself eating rich food,” he added.
His comments offer a rare insight into how unresolved grief, emotional suppression, and relationship stress can intersect.
So, can practices like meditation or breathwork genuinely help couples manage unresolved conflict or emotional baggage in a relationship?
Counselling psychologist Athul Raj tells indianexpress.com, “Yes, they can be supportive but not in isolation. In my experience working with couples, I have seen that when two people are emotionally overwhelmed, even a few minutes of conscious breathing or mindful silence can bring down the emotional temperature. It allows both partners to pause, slow their reactions, and reconnect with the present moment. In that space, they are often more able to listen rather than defend.”
He adds that while these practices do not solve deep-rooted conflict by themselves, they create “an inner environment” where conflict can be approached with more calm and awareness. “Especially in Indian homes where emotional expression is often restricted, these tools can quietly open space for connection. But they work best when paired with honest reflection and, when needed, guided support,” notes the expert.
How does unprocessed grief from earlier life events impact present-day relationships?
Unprocessed grief never truly goes away, notes Raj, adding, “It simply gets buried and eventually finds expression in other places, often in intimate relationships. I have worked with many couples where past pain shows up through withdrawal, resentment, or emotional shutdown. A partner’s current behaviour may feel triggering not because of the act itself, but because it reactivates something older–a loss, rejection, or unmet emotional need that was never spoken about.”
In long-term marriages, he states, these patterns can quietly become the emotional backdrop of the relationship. In Indian families, grief is often pushed aside in the name of strength or duty. But unless it is acknowledged, it can silently shape how people connect and how safe they feel with each other.
Identifying the root cause of fights and tension
When arguments become repetitive or emotionally intense beyond the situation at hand, it is usually not just about surface issues. I often ask couples to look at what they feel during the fight. Is it just frustration, or is there also sadness, fear, or loneliness underneath?
“Repeated conflict may be covering deeper unmet needs such as the desire to feel valued, loved, or emotionally secure. These are not issues of poor communication alone but often signs of deeper emotional disconnection or unresolved wounds. Recognising that is the first step toward more meaningful repair,” concludes Raj.
Parmeet Sethi on relationship struggles with Archana Puran Singh (Source: Express archive photo) 
Share
