Mumbai / New Delhi: Television actress Charu Asopa has publicly alleged that her then-husband Rajeev Sen cheated on her while she was pregnant with their daughter. She said she found condoms in his bag after he travelled to Delhi without informing her. Rajeev denied the allegations and accused Asopa of having an affair with actor Karan Mehra.

The couple’s troubled marriage involved allegations of cheating, abuse, trust issues and long absences. They repeatedly separated and reconciled before finally divorcing in 2023. Their daughter, Ziana, remained central to their attempts to save the marriage and their post-divorce co-parenting.

Who Are Charu Asopa and Rajeev Sen?

Charu Asopa is a television actress known for shows such as Mere Angne Mein, Baalveer, Devon Ke Dev… Mahadev and Akbar Ka Bal Birbal. Born in Bikaner, Rajasthan, she married in 2007, but that marriage ended in 2016. She later called off another engagement.

Rajeev Sen is the younger brother of actress and former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen. He has appeared on television but generally maintains a lower public profile. Rajeev and Charu married in June 2019 in a ceremony that attracted media attention because of his connection to the Sen family.

The couple reportedly faced problems early in their marriage. During the COVID-19 period, they lived separately and publicly discussed their differences. They later reconciled, and Asopa announced her pregnancy in 2021. Their daughter, Ziana, was born on 1 November 2021.

Pregnancy Period and Rajeev’s Long Absences

In interviews in late October and early November 2022, mainly with Pinkvilla, Asopa spoke about her pregnancy. She spent some time in Bikaner before returning to Mumbai, where she said she spent most of her pregnancy.

According to Asopa, Rajeev left home around 11 a.m. for a gym in Bandra and often returned at 7 p.m., 8 p.m., 9 p.m. or even 11 p.m. When she questioned him, she said he explained that he waited at Bandra cafes for traffic to ease or sometimes slept in his car.

Asopa said she trusted his explanations at the time. She also alleged that Rajeev sometimes travelled to Delhi without informing her.

She further claimed that he remained absent during important moments of her pregnancy and early motherhood. She said he missed some doctor visits and Ziana’s vaccination appointments. According to Asopa, these experiences left her feeling emotionally neglected and damaged her trust.

Charu Asopa Says She Found Condoms in His Bag

Asopa’s most serious allegation involved a trip Rajeev made to Delhi without telling her. While checking or moving his belongings, she said she found something in his bag that convinced her he had cheated.

In multiple interviews, Asopa specifically said she found condoms in his bag. She described the discovery as shocking and said it felt “like I was watering a plant that was already dead.”

She said she informed her family about the discovery and claimed that everyone eventually knew about it. Despite this, she said she repeatedly tried to save the marriage because she loved Rajeev and wanted to keep the family together for Ziana.

Asopa described their roughly three-and-a-half-year marriage as a period in which she repeatedly waited for things to improve and for the relationship to get another chance.

Rajeev Accused Her of an Affair With Karan Mehra

Rajeev denied Asopa’s cheating and physical abuse allegations. Instead, he accused her of having an affair with television actor Karan Mehra.

Rajeev referred to voice notes that he claimed Asopa’s mother had sent him and said they allegedly mentioned a romance. He also pointed to a reel that Asopa and Mehra posted after attending a professional event together.

Rajeev blamed trust issues, poor communication and ego clashes for their separation. He also accused Asopa of playing the “women’s card” or “victim card” and said he would not forgive her for publicly humiliating him.

Asopa strongly denied the affair allegation. She called it false and accused Rajeev of lying and “stooping to a new low.”

She explained that she had worked with Mehra years earlier on Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. She said they had not met for around 12 years before attending the same professional event. According to her, the reel was completely professional and involved several people.

Asopa apologised to Mehra for dragging him into the dispute. She said Rajeev used the video to create a false narrative. Mehra also denied the affair and reportedly threatened legal action over the defamation allegations.

Allegations of Abuse, Suspicion and Controlling Behaviour

Asopa also alleged that Rajeev had raised his hand against her on one or more occasions. She said family members knew about these incidents.

She claimed Rajeev often questioned her loyalty and suspected her of relationships with a driver and some co-stars. She also alleged that he contacted her colleagues and told them to stay away from her.

Asopa described other incidents involving Rajeev’s belongings. She said he once called her a thief while she cleaned a cupboard and objected when she handled an expensive watch.

She further alleged that Rajeev sometimes disappeared, blocked her communication and stayed in hotels even when he was in the same city.

Rajeev denied physical abuse and rejected the cheating allegations. He instead highlighted relationship problems and accused Asopa of damaging his reputation. Their public accusations made the separation particularly bitter and highly visible.

Their On-and-Off Marriage Ended in Divorce

The couple announced their separation in mid-2022 but paused divorce proceedings in September. Asopa said Rajeev initiated a conversation, promised that the problems would not return and convinced her to try again, mainly for Ziana.

They informed their lawyers that they wanted to stop the divorce process. However, the reconciliation did not last. By late October 2022, their public accusations intensified and they confirmed their separation again.

The legal proceedings continued, and the couple finalised their divorce in June 2023. Rajeev later wrote that there were “no goodbyes—just two people who couldn’t hold on to each other” and said they would continue as parents to Ziana.

Asopa later described the divorce as a relief and said she wanted to focus on peace and her daughter’s well-being.

Life After Divorce and Co-Parenting

After the divorce, both Charu and Rajeev focused publicly on co-parenting Ziana. They have occasionally shared family moments, meetings, trips and appearances involving Rajeev’s family.

These interactions sometimes attracted online criticism because of their earlier allegations. Asopa has defended their continued contact by saying that they maintain a relationship for Ziana’s well-being and that both parents remain involved in her life.

Their interactions have included periods of cordial communication, although they continue to live separate lives.

Asopa continues to work in television and as a vlogger. She often shares her experiences as a single mother and her life between Bikaner and Mumbai. Rajeev maintains a relatively low media profile, apart from family and daughter-related updates.