‘I cried a lot’: Famous actress, who debuted with Salman Khan in award-winning film, shares how parents burnt her love letters

Back in 1989, director Sooraj Barjatya made a film about two people, head over heels in love with each other, only to be torn apart due to family differences. The movie, featuring two debutants, went on to become a commercial success, striking the right chord with the masses. The romantic drama is none other than Maine Pyar Kiya, starring Salman Khan and Bhagyashree. Notably, mirroring the film’s central conflict, Bhagyashree’s real life wasn’t too different, as her parents were against her relationship with her now-husband, Himalaya Dassani.

Bhagyashree, in a month-old interview with Hauterrfly, wore her heart on her sleeve as she shared her filmy love story. According to the 57-year-old, she and Himalaya Dassani went to the same school together. But unlike the love-at-first-sight trope, theirs was a fight at first sight encounter. However, Bhagyashree admitted that she felt an immediate and innocent bond with Himalaya.

Bhagyashree’s parents opposed her relationship with Himalaya Dassani

But when Bhagayshree told her parents about Himalaya Dassani, they disapproved of the relationship, citing that she was too young. Bhagayshree respected their decision, discontinuing her relationship with Himalaya and the two went on their separate ways. While Bhagyashree went to college and later signed for Maine Pyar Kiya, Himalaya moved abroad for studies. But destiny had the two meet again years later and their feelings resurfaced. But this time it was met with a stronger parental resistance.

As per Bhagyahsree, her parents believed that until their daughter and Himalaya Dassani met more people, saw the world and learnt the real meaning of love, it would not be wise for them to get married. Bhagyashree complied and told Hiamalaya that she never wants to see him again. After the breakup, Bhagyahsree told her parents that she would follow their decisions for a year and even agreed to marry someone they chose for her. But she admitted that the phase was ‘very difficult’ for her.

More about Bhagyashree and her films

During that time, Bhagyashrees revealed that her parents had burnt all the love letters she and Himalaya Dassani had written to each other. ‘‘That night, I cried a lot because in that bonfire of letters, many hearts burned, many dreams burned. That was very, very sad for me,’ confessed the actress. Despite the obstacles, Bhagyashree admitted that she did not wish to get married without her parents’ blessings. But when he raised that they were strictly against the marriage, she left the house after touching their feet.

Bhagyashree’s parents eventually consented to the marriage and she tied the knot with Himalaya Dassani on 19 January 1989. The couple is proud parents of son Abhimanyu and daughter Avantika Dassani. She also shared screen space with her husband in the films Qaid Main Hai Bulbul, Tyagi and Paayal. For Maine Pyar Kiya, Bhayagyashree won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. She was last seen in the comedy-drama series Life Hill Gayi.