In a rare and heartfelt revelation, Marathi actor Girija Oak has opened up about the profound and lasting impact her parents' separation had on her childhood and mental health. The daughter of veteran actor Girish Oak and pharmacist Padmashree Phatak, Girija shared that the breakdown of their marriage was a slow, daily reality that shaped her formative years.
The Slow Burn of a Family Separation
Girija clarified that her parents' decision to part ways was not a sudden, traumatic event. Instead, it was a gradual process she lived with constantly. "There was a bond between my mom and dad, which we knew about. Gradually it increased and then eventually the decision was made that they would separate," she explained in an interview. She emphasized that it was not a single shocking moment but a part of her everyday survival, woven into the fabric of her life amidst studies and college responsibilities.
For a long time, Girija was unaware of the deep emotional toll this situation was taking. "You don't really know how it's affecting you. I didn't understand what was happening to me or if anything was happening to me at all," she admitted. This lack of awareness meant the stress accumulated silently over the years.
When Emotional Pain Turned Physical
The built-up stress eventually manifested in alarming physical symptoms. Girija began experiencing severe panic attacks. "I started getting panic attacks. I would get palpitations, my palms would get sweaty, I would start getting breathless, and I would start sweating," she recalled. The confusing part was that these episodes could strike at any time, even during seemingly calm moments like travelling to college or studying in a lab.
Initially, Girija believed she had a medical condition. "I thought something was wrong with me medically. I went to the doctor and asked her if it was related to my heart," she said. It was this doctor who first recognized the signs of psychological stress and guided her towards seeking professional mental health support. Girija began talk therapy with a psychologist and was also prescribed mild SOS medication to manage the acute symptoms.
The Burden of a 'Broken Home' and Finding Healing
Girija confessed that she struggled to speak about her therapy at the time, not due to stigma, but simply because she did not know how to articulate her experience. The separation also left her with heavy emotional baggage in her personal relationships. "I live with this baggage that I am a product of a failed or broken marriage," she shared. This created an immense pressure to "do it right" in her own relationships, which sometimes prevented her from standing up for herself.
Her perspective changed when she met film producer Suhrud Godbole. Describing him as a genuine friend first, she found emotional safety and open communication. "I can talk to Suhrud about anything. There is no such topic that is a no-go," Girija said. Reflecting on a difficult heartbreak before meeting him, she noted, "Everything was bad before Suhrud." She described meeting him as feeling like a balm, a healing presence that helped her recognize positive relationship patterns.
The couple has now been together for nearly 15 years, including 14 years of marriage. Girija sums up their bond by saying that every day is a conscious choice to be with the same person, making the longevity of their relationship a meaningful achievement rather than just an easy statistic.
