Actor Varalaxmi Sarathkumar has spoken with rare honesty about the emotional journey she went through after her parents’ separation, revealing how time, therapy, and perspective helped her heal old wounds.
Appearing on The Rayane Show podcast with her stepsister Rayane R Mithun, Varalaxmi reflected on her complicated feelings surrounding her father Sarathkumar’s divorce from Chaya Devi and his subsequent marriage to actor Radhika.
“There Was Anger, Then Understanding”
Sarathkumar and Chaya Devi were married in 1981 and parted ways in 2000. A year later, Sarathkumar married Radhika — a development that deeply affected Varalaxmi at the time.
Looking back, Varalaxmi shared that her emotions went through many phases.
“There was childhood love, then anger when my parents separated. Then there was more anger when my dad remarried,” she said, adding that therapy played a crucial role in helping her process those feelings.
She explained that with time, she learnt to separate personal hurt from reality.
“Sometimes two people just don’t work together. I think they both made better decisions for themselves, and they’re happier today,” she said, noting that she forgave her father long ago.
Why She Initially Blamed Radhika
In a particularly candid moment, Varalaxmi admitted that she once blamed Radhika for her parents’ divorce — a belief she now recognises as misplaced.
“When you’re young, you’re tuned to think that someone came and broke a marriage,” she said. “But she’s not the reason my parents separated. Their marriage already had problems.”
She revealed that her relationship with Radhika was strained initially because of this misunderstanding. However, maturity changed everything.
“As you grow up, you realise everyone has the right to make their own choices,” Varalaxmi shared. “Now I have a lovely relationship with aunty, and she also shares a lovely relationship with my mum.”
A Complicated Family, A Healthier Present
For context, Sarathkumar and Chaya Devi have two daughters — Varalaxmi and Pooja. Radhika, who had previous marriages before tying the knot with Sarathkumar, has a daughter Rayane from an earlier relationship and later welcomed a son Rahul with Sarathkumar in 2004.
Despite the complex family history, Varalaxmi’s words reflected acceptance rather than resentment.
Final Words
Varalaxmi Sarathkumar’s conversation struck a chord for its honesty and emotional maturity. Instead of assigning blame, she chose growth — acknowledging that pain exists, but so does healing.
It’s a reminder that family stories aren’t always simple, but with time and understanding, even the most difficult chapters can find peace.
