Shubhangi Atre on ex-husband Piyush Poorey: Alcohol addiction destroyed him

India Today

26-04-2025

Actor Shubhangi Atre has spoken about the reasons behind her divorce from her late ex-husband, Piyush Poorey, who died at 48 due to liver cirrhosis. The couple legally separated in February this year after years of struggle, primarily due to Piyush's alcohol addiction. Shubhangi shared that the decision to part ways was difficult and made with the well-being of their daughter, Ashi, in mind.advertisementShubhangi revealed that she remained in touch with Piyush during his hospitalisation and prayed for his recovery. She told Times of India in an interview, 'I spoke to him on April 16 and prayed for his recovery. I'm emotional and numb right now.I want to remember Piyush for all the good things. I'll be going to Indore soon to be with his family. Our daughter, Ashi, who is studying in the US, will finish her final exams, after which she'll come here, and then we'll head there together.'She clarified that her decision to leave was not due to her success but because of the toll his addiction took on their lives. Despite efforts from both families and attempts at rehabilitation, Piyush's addiction affected everyone around him. 'It's easy for people to judge without knowing the full story. They assume I left him due to my success, but that's not true. Our separation was a result of years of struggle. I didn't leave because I became successful, I left because his alcohol addiction took a toll on our lives. I tried everything I could to save my marriage, but it was beyond my control. Even sending him to rehab didn't work. Both our families also tried their best to help him, but addiction destroyed him and affected all of us,' she said.advertisement
The actress emphasised the impact of addiction on families, particularly on children, highlighting that her daughter suffered significantly. 'I had to prioritise my daughter Ashi's well-being, so I made the difficult decision to part ways. It wasn't a decision made overnight. Things started going wrong around 2018-2019, and it eventually led to the divorce in 2025. Even after our divorce, I remained in touch with Piyush and encouraged him to seek help. I also share an extremely cordial relationship with his family.'Shubhangi plans to visit Piyush's family in Indore soon, with Ashi joining her after completing her exams in the US. The couple, who married in 2003, welcomed their daughter in 2005. Shubhangi is currently known for her role in the popular television show Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai! and has appeared in other shows like Kasautii Zindagii Kay and Chidiya Ghar.