Actress-politician Shruthi files for divorce

BANGALORE - South Indian film actress and politician Shruthi has filed for divorce from S. Mahendar, her husband of 11 years. She said it was a difficult decision, but an inevitable one due to a ‘lot of pain’ in her married life.

‘I had to undergo lot of pain because of many unsavoury things in my married life. But I would not like to discuss these issues in public. I have adduced the reasons for my decision in my divorce petition to court,’ Shruti, who worked with her hubby in ‘Gatti Mela’, told IANS.

Both Shruthi and director Mahendar, who directed Kamal Haasan and Sridevi starrer ‘Sadma’ - a remake of his own Tamil film Moondram Pirai, are Bharatiya Janata Party leaders. The latter had contested the recently held assembly elections in Karnataka from Kollegal constituency.

Shruthi also said that there were occasions when she had decided to walk out, but didn’t take the extreme step because of the compulsions of the family life. The two have a daughter.

‘Later both of us joined BJP and even canvassed for the party together. I took on as campaign manager for Mahendar when he contested the assembly elections a few months ago. I was always oscillating between continuing with the relationship and aborting it. Finally I took a decision to part ways with Mahendar,’ said Shruthi.

Shruthi said that the decision is entirely personal and she has not been influenced by any of her family members or well-wishers.

‘Though I had strained relationship with Mahendar, I had consciously decided to keep it with myself. I still hold lot of respect towards Mahendar. But I could not continue with the relationship for long,’ said Shruthi.

Shruthi, who worked in several Kannada films, won the best actress award from Karnataka government for her performances in ‘Rashmi’ and ‘Gowdaru’ and has been honoured with a Tamil Nadu state award for K. Balachandar directed ‘Kalki’.

Mahendar was not available for comment and had switched off his mobile phone.