In a recent conversation on his son Aaryamann Sethi’s YouTube channel, actor Parmeet Sethi opened up about various personal challenges, including his marital struggles with actor-wife Archana Puran Singh. Sethi candidly discussed the intense arguments they faced, which strained their relationship. He attributed some relief to an Art of Living course that helped him process his emotions and find a sense of peace.
He said, “I did the Art of Living Course, Archana forced me to do it. We were going through a bad time as a husband and wife, very tense, and we were fighting a lot. After the course, all the things bottled inside me came out, and for the first time, I cried loudly for my sister who had died earlier. I cried to my heart’s content. I used to diet a lot during that time, but during the meditation, I imagined myself eating rich food.”
Recalling his childhood in Delhi, Parmeet described growing up in a refugee household, as his father had migrated from Gujranwala, now in Pakistan, post-Partition. Despite the loving environment, financial constraints were a constant challenge, prompting him to sell shirts from his uncle’s factory during his college years in Mumbai to support the family.
One of the most harrowing experiences Sethi recounted was related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, where he tragically lost his uncle and cousin. The trauma led him to make the difficult decision to remove his turban and shave his hair, an act his father struggled to accept. This decision was a profound reflection of the identity crisis he faced.
Sethi shared a particularly terrifying incident where his family narrowly escaped a mob assault. Their neighbour, an army officer, defended their home by standing guard with a gun, while Sethi’s father assisted by supplying bullets to ensure their safety.
Addressing his marriage, Parmeet acknowledged a tumultuous phase characterised by frequent fights and emotional exhaustion. He credits Archana for encouraging him to explore the Art of Living practices, which allowed him to confront and release pent-up grief, bringing a sense of calm and healing.
The couple got married on June 30, 1992. They have two sons, Aryamann and Ayushmaan.
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