Anju Aravind breaks her silence on love, loss and reclaiming joy with her first crush

Dubai: It takes immense courage to speak openly about the most private parts of your life — especially when you live in a society where divorce or being a widow still carries a quiet, unspoken stigma.

But actor and dancer Anju Aravind, known for her roles across Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada films, is choosing honesty over silence.

In a recent interview with a Tamil YouTube channel, Anju laid bare chapters of her life rarely discussed publicly.

As reported by Onmanorama, she shared that her first marriage ended in divorce — a deeply personal truth still considered taboo in many circles. Her second marriage ended in tragedy with the sudden death of her husband.

Rather than retreating, Anju stood her ground. She continued to pursue her artistic journey and rebuild her life, one courageous step at a time.

Love, the second time around — with her first crush

In a turn of events worthy of a screenplay, Anju revealed that she’s been in a live-in relationship for the past five years with Sanjay Ambalaparambath, the boy who was her school crush in grade 8.

“Sanjay was my first crush,” she said with a warm smile. “Our story could easily be a film.”

The two met at a dance school in their youth, lost touch, and later reconnected — this time, for good. A shared love for the arts and a sense of familiarity brought them back together. Watching the Tamil film 96 even sparked school-day memories and confirmed what they already knew: some stories are meant to be revisited.

Sanjay left a career in IT to pursue writing and social work and has since become a steadfast partner in Anju’s personal and professional journey.

A fresh start in Bengaluru

It was Sanjay who helped Anju transition to life in Bengaluru, offering her support, a safe haven, and a new chapter. Together, they founded the Anju Aravind Academy of Dance, where Anju now mentors aspiring dancers — sharing not just movement, but also resilience, discipline, and passion.

On the professional front, Anju is remembered for standout roles in Malayalam hits like Aksharam, Swapna Lokathe Balabhaskaran, Kidilol Kidilam, and Avakasikal. Her last appearance was in the 2017 Jayaram-starrer Achayan.

But it’s her decision to speak about life beyond the screen — the heartbreak, the healing, and the unexpected love story — that leaves a deeper mark.

By owning her truth, Anju Aravind not only reclaims her narrative, but also challenges the outdated norms around marriage, divorce, and what it means for a woman to start over — on her own terms.