Shobna Gulati is best known for playing Sunita Alahan in Coronation Street, but away from the ITV soap she has faced some tough times, including struggles with fame and relationships

Shobna Gulati starred in Coronation Street for over a decade (Image: Instagram )

Shobna Gulati is famed for her portrayal of Sunita Alahan in ITV’s Coronation Street, having starred in the soap from 2001 to 2013. The star initially shot to fame with the BBC’s Dinnerladies, had stints in EastEnders and Doctors, and was briefly a panellist on Loose Women.

Fans might also know the versatile actress, 58, from her role as Ray in the hit West End musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, as well as playing Mari Hoff in the 2022 UK Tour of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, acting alongside her 30-year-old son Akshay.

Despite a bustling career since leaving the cobbles of Coronation Street, Shobna hasn’t shied away from discussing the more challenging aspects of fame. She has opened up about the severe depression she experienced, which required the assistance of two counsellors. Shobna confessed, “Corrie fame made me a recluse. When I handed in my resignation, I knew it was the right thing.”

Shobna played Sunita Alahan in Coronation Street

Moreover, she disclosed: “When you’re in a dark place, there only appears to be one way out. You try not to consider that. I’ve always tried not to reach that low. But when a bout of depression hit me, I could lock myself away for a week. Lived like a hermit.”

However, in a 2020 interview with OK!, she confessed it was a “shame” that her soap character met an untimely demise. She shared: “What a shame they killed Sunita off. The first time I left, the door was open for her to come back, but you get different producers with different ideas. I’m still in touch with some of the women there, and one of my best friends is Kate Ford [Tracy Barlow]. We’re very close.”

Beyond her acting career, Shobna is a devoted mother to her son Akshay, who has also pursued a career in acting, reports Lancs Live. She previously resided with her mother until her passing in 2019, having faced community disapproval for having a child outside of marriage.

Shobna has been open about her struggles (Image: Getty)

Shobna initially tied the knot with her spouse, Anshu Srivastava, in 1990 in a traditional Hindu ceremony, but the union ended after four years when she began a romance with Emmerdale actor Gary Turner. However, the relationship ultimately fizzled out. She then entered into a relationship with Anthony Brown, 17 years old and her junior, but their significant age gap led to difficulties.

Shobna regularly updates her Instagram followers on her acting roles and other pursuits. She has been candid about embracing her natural grey hair as she ages, abandoning hair dye in favour of a more authentic appearance.

The actress has also shared the less glamorous side of her profession online, recently opening up about facing rejection at auditions. Shobna posted a photo of herself with the admission: “The face of rejection from something I didn’t even know I wanted to do in the first place. Honestly, why on earth did I pick this career sometimes I really don’t know anyway just so you it cold out there.”