The television industry often masks financial instability behind a veil of glamour – a reality veteran actress Rinku Dhawan experienced first-hand. Known for her iconic role in Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Rinku recently opened up about a gruelling period of her life where the cameras stopped rolling and the pay checks ceased.
Her story is one of incredible resilience, moving from a state of total financial depletion to once again becoming a household name. Here’s what happened to Rinku Dhawan behind the scenes of her screen appearances.
The depth of the struggle
Rinku Dhawan’s downfall began around 2017, following her separation from actor Kiran Karmarkar. For nearly four years, she faced a drought of work that quickly spiraled into a severe financial crisis. According to a recent interview with The Bombay Times, Rinku was candid about her personal and professional losses, stating, “I was jobless and in debts. It was a tough period, but I never gave up. I’m glad I managed to bounce back.” During this time, the actress had to navigate the emotional turmoil of losing her father and going through a divorce, all while struggling to stay afloat.
Despite a career spanning over 20 years, Rinku admitted that she faced significant hurdles even when she actively sought work, particularly from new media. She noted that while she auditioned extensively, there was a visible bias against small-screen stars. “If OTT has built these walls saying they don’t want television actors, what can one do?” she questioned. The pressure was immense as she had to support her son and family with no income coming in for over three-and-a-half years, a period she described as a test of her endurance.
The road back to television
What eventually brought Rinku back to the screen was a mix of humility and spiritual strength. According to her conversation with The Bombay Times, the turnaround finally began with the show Chhoti Sarrdaarni. Reflecting on that relief, she noted, “The show brought my first significant paycheck in three-and-a-half years. Then came Bigg Boss… which finally brought stability back into my life.”
She admitted that her reality TV stint was a turning point for her recovery, saying, “I think Bigg Boss helped me get back on my feet. Also, I was not expecting to go on for very long but people liked me in the house.”
Since then, Rinku has maintained a steady presence on television with roles in Udaariyaan and Megha Barsenge. Today, she is seen in the hit show Anupamaa, where she portrays a nuanced character. She clarified her new role by saying, “I have a layered role in Anupamaa and it is not really in the negative space.”
Looking back at her journey, Rinku shared that her faith helped her through the darkest times: “Life has not been easy, but Mahadev has always been there. I’m in a calm space now and not seeking anything. I enjoy what I do and I prefer to live in the moment.”
