Hunar Hali: Mayank and I are in a “Living Apart Together” marriage

In an age where social media often dictates what a happy marriage should look like, complete with couple selfies and curated life updates, actress Hunar Hali chooses to keep her personal life private. Married to actor-turned-entrepreneur Mayank Gandhi for nine years, Hunar says she doesn’t feel the need to prove anything online.

She says, “I believe sharing intimate moments can open the relationship to unwanted attention, judgment, and negativity. If someone chooses to be out there for visibility, then they must accept the consequences too. There is no point in playing the victim later. What works for one couple might not work for another. I do not want to attend public events as a couple just to shut down speculation. People can think what they want. I genuinely do not care.”

Although they live in separate cities, with Mayank based in Delhi and Hunar in Mumbai, the actress says their marriage is thriving. She says, “We are in what is called a LAT marriage, Living Apart Together, and we have mastered the art of coexisting from a healthy distance. Ours is a marriage of understanding, not necessarily one of presence. I am happily married to my independence in Mumbai. Mayank’s work takes him all over. We connect when we need to, and the rest of the time, we are focused on our individual paths. Not all marriages are built under one roof, and that is perfectly okay. We do not need to display our bond on social media to validate it. And no, we do not check in with each other like customs clearance at airports.”

Hunar is currently seen in Siddharth Kumar Tewary’s show Veer Hanuman – Bolo Bajrang Bali Ki Jai, in which she plays Kaikeyi. Last month, she was injured on set during a shoot. She says with a laugh, “There is a belief that when you play divine characters, God watches over you more closely. I usually do nazar utarna for myself, and my hair stylist does it too, but that day we skipped it. During the shoot, a cutter stand fell on me, grazing my head and injuring my bare shoulder and hand. Thankfully, the wig and crown protected my head. The shoot was halted, and I panicked, thinking it was a fracture, but the doctor said it was a muscle injury.”

The actress, who has become quite selective with her roles, says her current choices are shaped by both artistic values and a long-term vision. She adds, “I want to build a strong reputation and avoid roles that typecast me. I try to associate myself with projects that offer quality storytelling. Even if a show is not commercially big, I value it if I resonate with it creatively.”

Waiting between meaningful projects can often be financially challenging, but Hunar takes a practical approach to stability. She says, “Financial independence is important. I am fortunate to have a supportive family and do not carry the responsibility of being the sole earner. Acting is not my only source of income. I also earn through events and endorsements. This idea that an actor is only relevant when seen on screen needs to change. Many people may not be active in television or films yet remain constantly visible on social media. It really makes you question what relevance means today.”