Actor, author and television host Mira Sethi has said that both her marriage and subsequent divorce were entirely her own decisions, adding that she does not hold anyone else responsible for the outcome.
Sethi made the remarks during a recent podcast appearance, where she spoke candidly about the lessons she learned from her divorce and reflected on the personal growth that followed.
The actor, who has appeared in several acclaimed television dramas including Kuch Ankahi, Mohabbat Subh Ka Sitara Hai, Chupke Chupke and Dr Bahu, belongs to a prominent media family.
She is the daughter of veteran journalists Najam Sethi and Jugnu Mohsin, while her brother, Ali Sethi, is a well-known singer and musician.
Sethi married Bilal Siddiqui in California in November 2019. The marriage ended in divorce in 2023, although she publicly confirmed the separation last year.
Speaking about the experience, Sethi said one of the biggest lessons she had learned was not to rely solely on “gut feelings” when making important life decisions.
She also stressed the importance of staying true to oneself, saying people should never change their personality to please others, whether it is a spouse, friend, employer or anyone else.
“People often like it when you mould yourself according to their expectations, but that is not a healthy approach,” she said, adding that these were the two most valuable lessons she had taken away from the experience.
Sethi said the divorce had ultimately helped her grow as a person and made her more mature.
“I can speak openly about it now because several years have passed since my divorce and I have moved on from that phase of my life,” she said.
Reflecting on societal attitudes towards divorce, Sethi noted that women in Pakistan are often criticised when a marriage ends, with many assuming they “failed to adjust”.
She said there had been no social pressure on her to marry, noting that she tied the knot at a relatively later age than what society typically expects.
“My decision to marry was entirely personal. It was based on love and idealism,” she said.
“I take full responsibility for that decision. I do not blame anyone else for what happened.”
