Saurabh Shukla says honesty is key to relationships, calls hiding truth a “betrayal”
MUMBAI — National Award-winning actor and filmmaker Saurabh Shukla said honesty is the foundation of any meaningful relationship, warning that hiding the truth can lead to a deeper sense of betrayal than the truth itself.
Speaking about the idea of being a “khuli kitab,” or an open book, in relationships, Shukla said withholding information often causes lasting emotional damage.
“You should not hide things, at least I believe that. Hiding has a problem because once it is broken or exposed, it creates a feeling of betrayal. And I have seen this very sensitively; I’m telling you this very clearly, and I’ve understood it many times,” Shukla, whose latest film is “Jab Khuli Kitaab,” said.
He explained that the pain in such situations is less about the act itself and more about the lack of transparency.
“It’s not about the act; it’s about the fact that you were kept in the dark. That becomes a bigger betrayal,” he said.
“It starts questioning everything. It makes you feel that your partner didn’t trust you enough to understand and that hurts more.”
Shukla emphasized that openness allows partners to truly understand one another and builds stronger relationships.
“So, I think that ideally, you should have a relationship where you can be open,” he said.
Reflecting on the role of truth in love, he cited a line by poet Rumi: “Light always enters through the crack in the wall.”
“I came across a line by Rumi… her line was, ‘Light always enters through the crack in the wall,’ and it was so wonderful,” he added.
Drawing a parallel with the story of his film, Shukla described a couple whose seemingly perfect relationship is shaken by a revelation.
“So what happens here? This couple was leading a perfect life. It was a strong love a wall without any cracks. One truth came, it broke the wall, it cracked everything. But as a by-product, what entered was the light of truth, and the room got illuminated by this light,” he said.
He added that once everything is out in the open, partners can fully understand each other — both strengths and flaws — and redefine their relationship.
“So, interestingly, when the truth comes out, there is nothing left to hide. Then you know the odds and evens of your partner. And if, knowing everything, you still stay together, how truthful that relationship becomes. Because you have understood: this is how it is, or how it was, or how it happened,” Shukla said.
“So there’s nothing left to hide. And that’s exactly what they discover. Then their romance and their love find a new definition.” (Source: IANS)
