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Shefali Shah Says First Marriage Was Emotionally Abusive, Recounts Moment She Chose to Leave

In a new Zoom interview, she describes opting to live alone after a breaking point to reclaim self-worth.

Overview

  • Shah characterizes her marriage to Harsh Chhaya as turbulent and says emotional abuse is real and damaging.
  • She recalls a realization—"Okay, this can kill me. I can’t do this anymore"—that prompted her to end the relationship.
  • A close friend's question about choosing lifelong solitude over an unhappy marriage helped crystallize her decision to leave.
  • After separating, she moved out and lived alone for the first time, which she says aided her self-rediscovery.
  • She has also spoken about ingrained sexism from family and in-laws, contrasting scrutiny of her work hours with leniency for male relatives, and coverage notes she married Chhaya in 1994, separated in 2000, and later that year married Vipul Amrutlal Shah.