Shanthi Krishna reveals feeling lonely after two failed marriages: 'I lost my own identity and became like a puppet'

Actress Shanthi Krishna is known for her remarkable contribution to Malayalam cinema during the 1980s and 1990s. She entered the film industry at the young age of 16, making her debut in Bharathan’s 'Nidra'(1981). She shared the screen with Mohanlal and Mammootty in several classic films and also established a strong presence in Kollywood. She won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress for her role in 'Chakoram' (1994). However, Shanthi faced several challenges on the personal front after two failed marriages.
In a recent interview with Galatta Pink, she opened up about her experiences with marriage. She first married actor Sreenath in 1984, but their relationship ended in divorce after 12 years. Although she initially stepped back from films post-marriage, she eventually made a comeback in 1991.

In 1998, Shanthi tied the knot with Bajore Sadasivan, a US-based industrialist, and relocated there. The couple had two children, but their marriage ended in separation in 2016. Reflecting on her journey, she said, “Through all of this, cinema has been my support, pulling me out of many struggles.”

She was just 19 when she married for the first time. “At that age, one has many romanticised ideas about marriage and love. My family questioned whether I was making the right choice, but I was stubborn. Some people learn from others’ experiences, while some need to go through their own to understand. I fall into the latter category.”
She also spoke candidly about the struggles in her second marriage. “Over time, I lost myself completely. I became like a puppet, simply following orders, unable to think for myself. It was a difficult phase. I had no personal income and was entirely dependent on someone else. I lost my own identity. I desperately wanted it (the marriage) to work. But now, looking back, I question myself—why did I tolerate everything? I was like a puppet,” she said.
Shanthi further admitted that loneliness affected her after both marriages ended, especially when she was not working. While she enjoyed outings with friends, she never wanted to live alone. At times, she questioned whether she was to blame but ultimately reassured herself that she wasn’t at fault.
Following her second divorce, Shanthi made a strong return to the silver screen. She played a significant role in Althaf Salim’s Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela (2017), which featured Nivin Pauly, Lal, Srinda, Aishwarya Lekshmi, and Ahaana Krishna in key roles.