The divorce between Kamal Haasan and Sarika was a major topic of discussion in the film industry. After 16 years of marriage, Sarika left her husband and took their daughters, Shruti and Akshara, with her. In a past interview, Sarika revealed the reasons behind her decision and the difficult circumstances she faced.
Sarika spoke to Simi Garewal about her choice to end the marriage, saying that it was a well-considered decision made for both herself and her mother. She emphasized that such decisions aren’t made impulsively, noting, “I did something that was honestly good for me and my mother. It had to be done. It comes after a lot of thought—you don’t make such decisions overnight.”
Sarika also shared the challenges she faced after leaving. She had only a car and Rs. 60 with her and had no immediate plans for her future. She recounted, “I left with Rs 60 and my car. I stayed with friends, took baths at their homes, and slept in my car at night.”
In contrast, Kamal Haasan later discussed why he did not provide financial support to Sarika after their divorce. During another interview with Simi Garewal, Kamal explained that he was aware of Sarika’s difficulties but chose not to offer help. He explained that Sarika did not want pity and would have been insulted if he had intervened. “She didn’t want that sympathy,” he said. “She found it very insulting when someone like me asked if she needed help. Any financial involvement might have made things worse. It was about pride, and I admired her for it.”
