Don’t be shocked if you bump into actress Nupur Alankar and find her dressed in a saffron outfit, sporting grey hair and no make-up at all. No, she isn’t trying to be in character for a show. Believe it or not, the actress, who has been in the showbiz industry for almost 27 years, has quit acting and renounced all worldly desires. She says, “I took sanyaas in February. I am busy visiting pilgrimages and have involved myself in helping those in need. I have always been inclined towards spiritualism and had been following adhyatm, so it was a matter of time before I devoted myself completely to it. I have been blessed to find the right guru Shambhu Sharan Jha, all thanks to my time at CINTAA (Cine and TV Artistes Association), where I worked as a committee member and held health workshops. It brought me contact with my guru and another master healer, which changed the course of my life.”
The actress has left Mumbai for good and is now on her way to the Himalayas. “It is indeed a big step. Being in the Himalayas will uplift and accelerate my spiritual journey,” she says, adding, “I have rented out my flat in Mumbai to take care of my travel and basic expenses.”
She is amused by reactions to her look and decision to become a sanyaasan. “I don’t know why people think I am emotionally devastated and tired of life to take this decision (laughs!). One doesn’t need to be down and out to go on the spiritual path,” says Nupur, who adds that the lockdown helped her become detached.
The only person who was not surprised by the actress’s decision to take sanyaas was her sister Jigyaasa. She has always been aware of the fact that Nupur has been practicing yog since 2007 when she was at the peak of her career. “Jigyaasa knew I was following the path. She has seen me sit in saadhna for hours, so, she knew what was in the offing.”
The actress-turned-sanyaasan says that she does not miss acting. “There is no place for drama in my life anymore. I am done with all the pretence and falsity that we resort to on screen and off it,” she says, adding, “After my mother passed away in December 2020, I realised that I didn’t fear losing anything anymore. I felt free from all expectations and duties. In fact, my sanyaas got delayed because my brother-in-law (Kaushal Agarwal) was stuck in Afghanistan when the Taliban took over the country.”
When she says free from all ties, it includes her marriage to actor Alankar Srivastava. The two tied the knot in 2002. She says, “I didn’t have to ask (smiles!). He knew where I was headed as I spoke with him once about wanting to take sanyaas. He has freed me and his family has also accepted my decision.” She says of her marriage, “I wish Alankar the best in life. It (marriage) was great till it lasted. We aren’t together though we haven’t taken the legal route for separation.”
The 49-year-old actress, who has been a part of 157 TV shows like Shaktimaan, Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyaan, and Tantra, and films like Raja Ji, Saawariya and Sonali Cable, feels liberated today. She says, “When I was a part of showbiz, I worried about popularity and success. Today, I am at peace. Main zameen par soti hoon aur ek hi time khaati hoon.”
Though Nupur isn’t working anymore, she has managed to stay afloat owing to her simple lifestyle, which includes eating one raw papaya and an apple a day, four pairs of clothes, and a pair of slippers. “That’s all I need to go about doing my things,” she says, adding, “I don’t worry about my expenses anymore. I have left everything to God.”
