Actor Renu Desai has questioned why she is still identified through her former husband, Telugu superstar Pawan Kalyan, 14 years after their divorce. Comparing her experience to Lord Ram’s 14-year exile, the actor said she wants to know when she will finally be able to move beyond this perception and be recognised for her own work and achievements.
Renu Desai on being linked to Pawan Kalyan
In a recent conversation on the Vishal Talks podcast, Renu Desai said, “For Telugu people, here’s something about my life. I was born only in June 1999, when I came for Badri. Before that, I didn’t really have a life. That’s how people do it,” she said.Talking about the years she has spent dealing with this perception, Renu said, “It’s been 14 years. Even Lord Ram was in exile, but for only 14 years. When will my exile end?”She also mentioned that she has built a career of her own since separating from Pawan Kalyan in 2012. Renu said she produced a successful Marathi film, later wrote, produced and directed another project, participated in a dance reality show and continued writing poetry before returning to acting.“We divorced back in 2012, right? After 2012, I produced a Marathi movie that was a super hit. Then I wrote, produced, and directed another movie. I did a dance show, wrote poetry, now I’m doing films. If I’m nobody, why would anyone call me?” she said.
Renu Desai on social media criticism
The actor also spoke about facing criticism on social media, particularly over her life after the divorce and her work towards animal welfare. She said some people question her efforts to rescue stray animals and make hurtful comments about her life without Pawan Kalyan.“People are scolding me, saying I’ll save a dog. They call it a waste in Telugu. She should have nothing to live for without him,” she said.Renu Desai runs an animal rescue NGO that provides free medical treatment to stray dogs and cats.
About Pawan Kalyan and Renu Desai
Pawan Kalyan and Renu Desai married in 2009 and have two children, son Akira and daughter Aadya. They divorced in 2012. Pawan later married Russian actor Anna Lezhneva in 2013, and they have a child together. He is currently the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and the president of the Jana Sena Party.
