Archana Puran Singh, the celebrated actress and television personality, recently shared a glimpse into her early struggles and personal challenges, revealing a side of her life beyond the laughter and entertainment she brings to the screen. In a heartfelt conversation, she recounted her initial days in Mumbai, highlighting the hurdles she overcame to establish herself in the film industry.

Singh's journey began at the age of 19 when she left her home with a suitcase full of dreams to pursue acting in Mumbai. "When I saw how life in Mumbai looked, I went back to Dehradun and told my dad that I wanted to become an actress. My father then sent me with his friend and their daughter to Mumbai with one suitcase. It was a suitcase full of dreams. But that family friend was returning to Dehradun in just one week,” Archana shared.

Her initial foray into the world of acting wasn't without its share of criticism. She recalled an incident where she was expected to perform comedy in a serial but was told that making faces wasn't real comedy. This feedback motivated her to observe and learn the nuances of comedic performance, shaping her approach to acting. "When I came to Mumbai to learn acting, I got a serial where I was supposed to not just act but also do comedy. There was a scene where I was expected to be funny, and I started making faces. The director stopped me and said that making faces is not comedy. He told me to watch others and learn what real comedy is. I watched my work, analysed it, and learnt from it,” she explained.

Singh also reflected on the challenges she faced in adapting to the city's lifestyle. "Everyone thinks I'm always laughing, but they don't know what I've been through. When I first came to Mumbai, I didn't know how to dress. I was educated, but I didn't know style," she confessed. Despite these initial struggles, she persevered, carving a niche for herself in the industry.

Beyond her professional life, Archana opened up about personal hardships, including a difficult phase in her marriage with Parmeet Sethi. She acknowledged that ego clashes and misunderstandings had created a rift between them. "Parmeet and I were going through a very difficult phase in our marriage. We made mistakes in understanding each other, and sometimes ego gets in the way. When both people in a marriage become weak, then that marriage struggles," Archana revealed. The couple sought help through meditation and the Art of Living course, which ultimately helped them resolve their differences and strengthen their bond.

Another difficult period in her life was when her son, Aaryamann, met with a major accident. She recounted the emotional turmoil she experienced upon receiving the news while in London, highlighting the impact the accident had on her son's dreams and well-being. “The second most difficult phase of my life was when I got a call saying Aary had broken his leg, and at that time I was in London. I felt extremely bad because it wasn't just the leg that was broken, but also his dreams. People think Aary is always smiling, but we have seen the dark phase where he was depressed and anxious. His dreams were honestly shattered then,” Archana said.

In addition to these challenges, Archana has also been candid about her decades-long battle with anxiety. She described it as a persistent knot in her stomach and acknowledged its impact on her sleep. Despite these struggles, she has learned to manage her anxiety over time, viewing it as both a disruptor and a motivator.

Through her candid revelations, Archana Puran Singh offers a glimpse into the woman behind the ever-smiling persona, showcasing her resilience, determination, and ability to overcome life's challenges. Her story serves as an inspiration to aspiring actors and anyone facing personal or professional obstacles.