Hunar Hali says her mother is ‘not happy’ with her decisions after divorce

Hunar got married to reality TV personality Mayak Gandhi in 2016. However, they got divorced in June this year, nine months after Hunar filed for separation.

Hunar Ali opens up about divorce

Speaking about her divorce, Hunar said the difficult phase ultimately transformed her perspective on life. “I probably wouldn’t be in this position hadn’t I gone through all those experiences. Maybe he (God) had to explain some things to me. Maybe he wanted to introduce me to someone and for that I had to understand something.”

The actor also admitted that for years she prioritised everyone else’s needs over her own before realising the importance of protecting her mental and physical health.

“I have kept living for others in my life and myself behind. But then I realised it’s important to prioritise my mental and physical health as well. And I don’t believe in trauma dumping because there’s already sadness in people’s lives,” she told Pinkvilla.

Why parental acceptance matters

Dr Rimpa Sarkar, PhD, Sentier Wellness, Mumbai, said parents are often a child’s first source of emotional validation, and their responses can significantly influence self-esteem and future relationships.

However, she emphasised that childhood experiences do not permanently define adulthood. “Many people learn to develop a healthier sense of self through supportive relationships, therapy, or self-reflection. Finding a middle ground, where one acknowledges a parent’s limitations without allowing those experiences to dictate their identity, can be an important step towards emotional healing and healthier relationships,” Dr Rimpa said.

Finding growth after divorce

She also noted that Hunar’s reflections align with the concept of post-traumatic growth, in which people develop greater resilience, self-awareness, and clarity about their values after significant life challenges.

According to Dr Rimpa, many women are socialised to believe that constantly caring for others is central to being a good daughter, partner or mother. “The psychological costs may include chronic stress, burnout, resentment, anxiety, and reduced self-worth. Over time, people may become so focused on meeting everyone else’s expectations that they lose touch with their own needs and aspirations. Prioritising oneself is not selfish,” she said.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to.