Esha Deol, the elder daughter of Dharmendra and Hema Malini, is one of the few Bollywood actresses who never shies away from calling a spade a spade. The actress, who followed in the footsteps of her star parents, ventured into cinema and made her acting debut in 2002 with the film, Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe.
She later stunned the audience with her brilliant performances in Kaal, Dhoom, No Entry and a few others. Just like her mother, Hema Malini, Esha is also a trained classical dancer and considers her mother to be her inspiration. Talking about the actress’ personal life, she had a fairytale romance with businessman Bharat Takhtani, which culminated in marriage.
However, as destiny had other plans, Esha and Bharat parted ways after 12 years of marital bliss. Now, the two are proudly co-parenting their daughters and leading a peaceful life. Let us read on to know how the couple’s high school romance ended on a tragic note.
Esha Deol met Bharat Takhtani during an inter-school competition
Esha Deol and Bharat Takhtani first met during an inter-school competition. While Esha studied at Jamnabai Narsee School, Juhu, Bharat, on the other hand, was a student at Learner’s Academy in Bandra. They met when Esha’s school hosted the inter-school competition. She took the first step by writing her phone number on a piece of paper and giving it to Bharat.
Esha Deol and Bharat Takhtani broke up during their teens
Though Bharat and Esha met during their school, the couple broke up during their teens. It so happened that Bharat took Esha for a drive, and he tried holding her, which left her furious. After that incident, Esha stopped taking Bharat’s calls and didn’t even reply to his messages. Though the couple broke up, Bharat made sure to stay in touch with Esha’s sister, Ahana Deol.
Bharat Takhtani approached Esha Deol after 10 years of their breakup
Post their breakup, Esha and Bharat went on to separate ways. Esha forayed into films, and Bharat ventured into his family business. However, throughout the time, Bharat kept in touch with Ahana to get updates about Esha. It was Ahana, who played cupid between Esha and Bharat. When Esha went on a trip to the US, Ahana told Bharat about it, and he got a chance to meet Esha. It was a moment when the duo rekindled their high school romance.
Esha Deol and Bharat Takhtani’s lavish wedding
After a few years of dating each other, Esha and Bharat informed their respective parents about each other, and the families agreed to their union. Esha Deol and Bharat Takhtani took their relationship to the next level and got married on June 29, 2012. The wedding ceremony was held at the ISKCON temple in Mumbai.
Esha and Bharat renewed their vows in 2017 when the couple were about to hop onto their parenthood journey. They remarried at the ISKCON temple in Mumbai to celebrate Esha’s baby shower. They welcomed their daughter, Radhya, in October 2017. Almost two years later, in 2019, Esha and Bharat welcomed their second angel, Miraya.
Esha Deol and Bharat Takhtani parted ways after 12 years of marriage
Ever since Esha and Bharat got married, the couple has been posting mushy pictures with each other on their respective social media handles. However, the duo stopped posting anything about one another and even stopped making public appearances as well.
On top of it, Bharat’s absence during Hema Malini’s grand 75th birthday bash also added fuel to the fire. As the murmurs about Esha and Bharat gained momentum, in 2024, the duo, in a joint statement announced their separation:
“We have mutually and amicably decided to part ways. Through this shift in our lives, the best interests and welfare of our two children are and will be of utmost importance to us. We’d appreciate our privacy is respected.”
Esha Deol and Bharat Takhtani are co-parenting their daughters
Ever since Esha and Bharat got divorced, the ex-couple has been co-parenting their daughters as a unit. In an interview with The Quint, Esha, who is a single parent now, revealed how the changed equation between a husband and a wife should not reflect on their kid’s well-being. In her words:
“When kids are involved, it is important to let your ego aside and have the threshold. At the end of the day, we are parents to these beautiful kids. Let’s give them the best and that’s when I think, when you decide to do that, when you are like that, the other person… he or she has to melt, if it’s possible. And you change the roles. And you co-parent.”
From high-school sweethearts, husband and wife to co-parents, Esha Deol and Bharat Takhtani have seen it all. But they are still a ‘unit’ for their daughters, Radhya and Miraya.
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