My marriage wasn't working': Arjun Rampal recalls darkest phase during separation with Mehr Jesia when his mom also had Cancer
Actor Arjun Rampal married former Miss India and supermodel Mehr Jesia in 1998 after the two met during their modelling days. The couple went on to welcome two daughters, Mahikaa and Myra, and remained together for nearly two decades before announcing their separation in 2018. Their divorce was finalised in November 2019.
Now in a recent interview, Arjun has opened up about the emotional turmoil he experienced during that period, describing it as one of the darkest and loneliest phases of his life. Speaking to Sohini on the YouTube show 'Cancelled to Crown', the actor reflected on dealing with the breakdown of his marriage while simultaneously watching his mother battle cancer.
"I think the loneliest I have ever felt is when I was not connected with myself the way I am today. My marriage was not working out and it's sad because I think love is not constant. Everything in life is not constant. I think that was maybe the darkest phase of my life because at that point in time it was exactly the time my mum had cancer and I was losing her. I was losing everybody who was close to me. I had lost my father three years before that. I was losing friends. I was losing everything that I had worked so hard to get."
The actor revealed that amid the personal upheaval, model and fashion designer Gabriella Demetriades entered his life and became a source of strength and stability.
"I was very lucky because I got somebody like Gabriella into my life who I think was a very strong anchor and was also coming from a space of maybe a lot of darkness as well. So we both were in the storm and we had to, like I said, weather it. But it's good, we got to weather it together and then the blessings came," said Arjun.
Arjun and Gabriella reportedly met through mutual friends in 2018. Over the years, their relationship has grown stronger, and the couple are now parents to two sons, born in 2019 and 2023. They also confirmed their engagement during an appearance on Rhea Chakraborty's podcast in December 2025.
Reflecting on his journey, Arjun's comments shed light on a challenging chapter marked by personal loss, grief and major life changes. Despite the hardships, he found support in Gabriella and gradually rebuilt his life.
On the professional front, Arjun was last seen in 'Dhurandhar' and its sequel 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge', both directed by Aditya Dhar . His portrayal of the ruthless ISI agent Major Iqbal earned praise from audiences and critics alike.
Now in a recent interview, Arjun has opened up about the emotional turmoil he experienced during that period, describing it as one of the darkest and loneliest phases of his life. Speaking to Sohini on the YouTube show 'Cancelled to Crown', the actor reflected on dealing with the breakdown of his marriage while simultaneously watching his mother battle cancer.
"I think the loneliest I have ever felt is when I was not connected with myself the way I am today. My marriage was not working out and it's sad because I think love is not constant. Everything in life is not constant. I think that was maybe the darkest phase of my life because at that point in time it was exactly the time my mum had cancer and I was losing her. I was losing everybody who was close to me. I had lost my father three years before that. I was losing friends. I was losing everything that I had worked so hard to get."
The actor revealed that amid the personal upheaval, model and fashion designer Gabriella Demetriades entered his life and became a source of strength and stability.
"I was very lucky because I got somebody like Gabriella into my life who I think was a very strong anchor and was also coming from a space of maybe a lot of darkness as well. So we both were in the storm and we had to, like I said, weather it. But it's good, we got to weather it together and then the blessings came," said Arjun.
Arjun and Gabriella reportedly met through mutual friends in 2018. Over the years, their relationship has grown stronger, and the couple are now parents to two sons, born in 2019 and 2023. They also confirmed their engagement during an appearance on Rhea Chakraborty's podcast in December 2025.
Reflecting on his journey, Arjun's comments shed light on a challenging chapter marked by personal loss, grief and major life changes. Despite the hardships, he found support in Gabriella and gradually rebuilt his life.
On the professional front, Arjun was last seen in 'Dhurandhar' and its sequel 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge', both directed by Aditya Dhar . His portrayal of the ruthless ISI agent Major Iqbal earned praise from audiences and critics alike.
Next Story