Mumbai, August 19: Sunita Ahuja has withdrawn the divorce case filed against actor Govinda, the actor’s manager Shashi Sinha has confirmed.
The development comes amid months of speculation over trouble in the couple’s marriage, with reports of their separation first gaining attention in February last year. Sunita was recently spotted at a court in Mumbai’s Bandra area, although the reason for her visit was not immediately clear.
Confirming the withdrawal of the divorce case, Sinha expressed disappointment over the manner in which the couple’s personal issues had played out publicly. He said family disputes could often be resolved through discussion and questioned the need for the matter to reach court.
“Once it reaches the courts, the whole world knows. Did the world need to know? There was no need. Family matters should stay within the family,” Sinha said.
He added that disagreements could be resolved through dialogue and said the situation had become a public spectacle. “If the case was to be withdrawn today, why was it filed in the first place? This pains me. Why did we become a spectacle?” he said.
Sinha also said Govinda had no immediate reaction to the latest development, as the withdrawal had happened only moments earlier. He appealed for everyone involved, including Govinda, Sunita and their children, to act wisely.
The couple’s relationship has been under public scrutiny following a series of interviews and statements by Sunita in which she discussed their marriage and made allegations concerning Govinda. Govinda has also responded to some of her remarks.
Amid the divorce speculation, reports had previously suggested that Sunita had sent a separation notice, although there was no subsequent movement on the matter. The couple had also appeared together publicly during Ganesh Chaturthi last year, with Sunita dismissing speculation that they were heading for a permanent separation.
More recently, Sunita’s comments about Govinda’s relationship with his former co-star Komal Rani Swarnkar sparked another controversy. She referred to Govinda as a “sugar daddy” and publicly accused him of having an affair. Govinda subsequently rejected the allegations and accused Sunita of attempting to damage his reputation and professional prospects.
Govinda and Sunita Ahuja married in March 1987. They kept their marriage private until after the birth of their daughter, Tina, in 1988. The couple later welcomed their son, Yashvardhan, in 1997.
