In a deeply emotional revelation, actor Parmeet Sethi has opened up about the profound grief he experienced following his sister's tragic death, confessing that he didn't smile for an entire year during that period. The candid disclosure came during a recent episode of his YouTube series Pyaar Dosti Hai, which he hosts alongside his wife, actress Archana Puran Singh.
Year-Long Depression After Sister's Accident
During the intimate conversation, Archana Puran Singh recalled that when she first met Parmeet, he barely smiled. Parmeet explained the heartbreaking reason behind his somber demeanor: "My sister passed away in a car accident. I was depressed. I hadn't smiled for an entire year — laughing was a distant thing. When I met you, I was just beginning to come out of that phase." Archana acknowledged the timeline, confirming that she met him approximately a year after the tragic incident.
Secret Marriage Despite Challenges
The couple revealed that despite a seven-year age gap and differing career stages, they decided to secretly get married. At that time, Archana was already an established figure in the entertainment industry, while Parmeet was still struggling to find his footing. Their decision to elope came because Parmeet's parents weren't initially in favor of their union.
Business Bankruptcy and Financial Struggles
Parmeet shared another challenging chapter from their lives when his export garment business suddenly collapsed. "I had started an export garment business, and I got a few good orders from Europe. I had set up the factory in Bangalore, and it was all going well, but suddenly all the orders got cancelled. All big brands suffered, and it all came crashing down for me," he recalled emotionally.
He described calling Archana from an STD booth in tears, asking what he should do after his entire business was finished. Her simple response of "Come back" provided the support he desperately needed during that difficult period.
Childhood Without Basic Luxuries
Perhaps the most poignant revelation came when Parmeet discussed his financially strained childhood. With visible emotion, Archana shared, "Every time you tell me this story, I tear up. You've told me you never had a toy growing up."
Parmeet elaborated on his reality: "This was my life. We always struggled financially. My father married off my sister after taking loans. He took loans to buy a house and a vehicle. I never had pocket money. I studied in a rich school where kids from wealthy families would buy soft drinks and frankies every day. I barely had money — once in a while I could manage a vada pav."
Different Backgrounds, Shared Resilience
While Parmeet came from financial hardship, Archana came from a more comfortable economic background but carried her own emotional burdens. She shared that she arrived in the industry at just 19 years old, recovering from a difficult breakup and feeling like she had disappointed her parents.
"Somewhere I felt I had disappointed my parents. There was a lot of patriarchy where I came from, so I had this drive to become as good as a son — as good as my father, who was such a big achiever. I wanted to prove myself to my parents. I toughened up," Archana revealed about her early motivations.
Early Marriage Tensions
The couple also discussed tensions that arose during their early marriage years when Archana was the sole breadwinner. She admitted that while she never thought "He doesn't earn," friction sometimes emerged when Parmeet wanted to spend money on expensive restaurants.
Parmeet explained his perspective: "Because I didn't come from a rich background, I had a hunger for good things — I wanted a better life." This desire stemmed directly from his childhood experiences of deprivation.
Building a Life Together
Despite their different backgrounds and early challenges, Parmeet and Archana have built a strong marriage that has lasted since their wedding in 1992. Parmeet expressed deep gratitude for his wife's support during his most difficult times, stating, "That's your greatness. You married me when I was a true struggler."
Reflecting on how his difficult childhood shaped him, Parmeet shared a philosophical perspective: "I think my hunger to build a better life came from this. Unless you are broken, you won't become something in life. I strongly believe that."
The couple's YouTube series continues to offer fans an unfiltered look into their relationship, showcasing how they've navigated personal tragedies, financial struggles, and the journey of growing together through life's many challenges.
