Coronation Street’s Shobna Gulati’s life off-screen – from heartbreak to career struggles
Shobna Gulati is best known for having played Sunita Alahan in ITV soap Coronation Street for over a decade, but what is the actress up to now? Let's take a look...
Shobna Gulati, fondly remembered as Sunita Alahan in Coronation Street, has truly left her mark on British television since her first appearance in 2001, parting ways with the iconic soap in 2013. She initially dazzled audiences in the BBC’s Dinnerladies, popped up in EastEnders and Doctors, and even shared her opinions as a Loose Women panellist.
At 58, Shobna’s talents shone in the West End hit Everybody’s Talking About Jamie as Ray and belted out tunes as Mari Hoff in the 2022 UK Tour of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, where she performed alongside her son Akshay, 30. Despite her stellar career, life in the limelight hasn’t been all glitz and glam for Shobna.
She previously opened up about how the pressures of fame plunged her into deep depression, leading her to seek support from two counsellors. She bravely confessed: “Corrie fame made me a recluse. When I handed in my resignation, I knew it was the right thing.”
Further sharing: “When you’re in a dark place, there only appears to be one way out. You try not to consider that. I’ve always tried not to reach that low. But when a bout of depression hit me, I could lock myself away for a week. Lived like a hermit.”
However, she did admit to OK! back in 2020, it was a “shame” how her character’s arc ended on the show. Speaking to the publication, she said: “What a shame they killed Sunita off. The first time I left, the door was open for her to come back, but you get different producers with different ideas. I’m still in touch with some of the women there, and one of my best friends is Kate Ford [Tracy Barlow]. We’re very close.”
Off-screen, Shobna Gulati is mum to 30-year-old son Akshay, who’s followed in her acting footsteps. Living with her mum until her passing in 2019, Shobna once opened up about the backlash from her community over having a child out of wedlock, reports Lancs Live.
Shobna has been open about her struggles
In her personal life, Shobna married Anshu Srivastava in a grand Hindu ceremony in 1990, only to part ways four years later. She then dated Emmerdale’s Gary Turner, but unfortunately, that liaison didn’t last either. She later found love with Anthony Brown, a man 17 years younger, yet the age difference proved tough, and they eventually called it quits.
Keeping her followers informed, Shobna remains active on Instagram, sharing tidbits from her acting career and her life ventures.
Breaking stereotypes, she’s embraced her silver strands, waving goodbye to hair dye in favour of ageing gracefully with a natural vibe. And not shying away from the harsh realities of showbiz, the actress recently took to social media to reveal the struggles of rejection during casting calls.
She posted a selfie and confessed: “The face of rejection from something I didn’t even know I wanted to do in the first place. Honestly, why on earth did I pick this career sometimes I really don’t know anyway just so you it cold out there.”
