Actors Archana Puran Singh and Parmeet Sethi have long been regarded as one of Bollywood’s most stable and enduring couples, but their journey together began amid financial instability, emotional turmoil and widespread scepticism. In a candid conversation on Archana’s YouTube channel, the couple recently revisited the difficult early years of their marriage, revealing that they tied the knot at a time when Parmeet was unemployed, struggling with depression and recovering from a catastrophic business failure.

Parmeet Sethi was a red flag when we married': Archana Puran Singh on how he was unemployed, depressed and had lost his business

Parmeet Sethi was a red flag when we married’: Archana Puran Singh on how he was unemployed, depressed and had lost his business

Speaking with characteristic honesty, Archana admitted that, by conventional standards, Parmeet appeared to be “a red flag” when they decided to marry.

The couple, who have been together for nearly four decades, recalled how Parmeet had invested in a business venture that failed completely, leaving him without income and direction. “He had lost his business, he wasn’t earning, and he was depressed,” Archana said, adding that the timing of their marriage raised serious concerns among friends and well-wishers.

At the time, Archana’s own acting career was stable, while Parmeet was at a professional crossroads. Compounding their challenges was the fact that Parmeet is seven years younger than Archana, a gap that invited social judgment in an industry already rife with scrutiny.

“People were betting that this marriage wouldn’t last,” Archana recalled, noting that many around them openly questioned her decision. Despite the uncertainty, the two chose to prioritise companionship over convention.

Parmeet, reflecting on that period, acknowledged that it was one of the lowest points of his life. The failure of his business had left him emotionally drained, and the pressure of redefining his career added to his distress. “I didn’t know what I was going to do next,” he admitted, describing a phase marked by self-doubt and vulnerability.

Interestingly, Archana also revealed that she was initially not in favour of Parmeet becoming an actor, fearing the instability of the profession — especially given their financial situation at the time. She explained that acting felt like a risky pivot when they needed security the most.

Despite her reservations, Parmeet eventually transitioned into acting and went on to carve a space for himself in television and films, most notably with his role as Kuljeet in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. Archana, meanwhile, continued to build a diverse career spanning films, television, comedy shows and voice work.

Looking back, Archana said that what sustained their relationship was mutual trust and a willingness to endure uncertainty together. “We didn’t marry because everything was perfect. We married knowing it wasn’t,” she said, underscoring that emotional partnership mattered more than financial or professional success.

Over the years, the couple weathered industry ups and downs, raised two sons, and gradually found stability , both personally and professionally. Today, Archana is one of the most recognisable faces on Indian television, while Parmeet continues to work across mediums, including direction and acting.

Through her YouTube channel, Archana has increasingly opened up about personal chapters she once kept private. The couple’s willingness to speak openly about failure, depression and doubt has resonated with audiences, many of whom have praised their honesty for breaking the illusion of “perfect” celebrity marriages.

Their story, as Archana put it, is proof that “red flags” don’t always define outcomes —and that sometimes, resilience and faith matter more than timing.

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