In the world of glitz and glam, not everyone stays for the long haul. Sometimes celebrities choose to step away from the limelight, embarking on a spiritual journey and following their religious pursuits.
From Sana Khan to Nupur Alankar, here’s a look at the top 8 Bollywood and television actresses who left Bollywood for a similar reason.
Sana Khan sent shockwaves across Bollywood after she decided to quit acting in 2020. In the same year, she married Surat-based businessman and religious scholar Anas Sayed. Speaking about her decision, the former actress revealed, “I had …everything. But one thing that was missing was peace.”
Zaira Wasim shot to fame after appearing in Aamir Khan’s Dangal and Secret Superstar. In 2019, she declared her “disassociation” from acting”, citing that her line of work “interfered with her relationship with religion.” PS: Zaira announced her marriage on October 17.
With films like Ram Lakhan, Karan Arjun, and Baazi to her name, Mamta Kulkarni decided to become a Sadhvi at the Maha Kumbh Mela this year. She even received the title of Mahamandaleshwar from the Kinnar Akhara. However, controversies led her to resign from the position, although she confirmed to continue practising spirituality as a Sadhvi.
Remember Anupamaa actress Anagha Bhosale? In 2022, she uploaded an elaborate note on Instagram, “officially” bidding goodbye to the film and television industry. “I did take this decision due to my religious beliefs and spiritual path,” she wrote.
Anu Agarwal became an overnight star thanks to Mahesh Bhatt’s 1990 blockbuster romance drama Aashiqui. In 1999, she suffered a near-fatal car accident, leaving her in a 29-day coma. Post-accident in 2001, Anu embraced Sanyas, opting for renunciation and even shaved her head.
Bigg Boss 7 fame Sofia Hayat gave away luxury and fame to become a nun in 2016 and changed her name to Gaia Mother Sofia. However, she has now reportedly left nunhood.
Barkha Madan, who made her Bollywood debut in the Akshay Kumar-starrer Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi, has welcomed Buddhism and adopted the name Gyalten Samten. A strict follower of the Dalai Lama, she made the spiritual transformation in her life in 2012. Barkha keeps her head shaved.
Joining the list is actress Nupur Alankar, who renounced all worldly desires and took sanyaas in 2022. “I have always been inclined towards spiritualism and had been following adhyatm, so it was a matter of time before I devoted myself completely to it,’ she had revealed in an interview.
