In 2023, veteran actor Ashish Vidyarthi made headlines as he announced his second marriage at age 61 to Assam-based fashion entrepreneur Rupali Barua. As the internet buzzed with reactions and interviews, one voice remained noticeably quiet—his former wife, Piloo Vidyarthi. Now, two years since their amicable separation after 22 years of marriage, Piloo has finally broken her silence on why she still uses Ashish’s surname. She opened up on her decision to retain the ‘Vidyarthi’ surname, and where she stands on love today. Her Instagram bio still reads “Piloo Vidyarthi” and addressing the curiousity around it, she explained during a chat with News18 Showsha, “The Indian system is complicated. There are so many things you need to consider before altering your name or surname. I am still struggling to change my address on my Aadhar card. If you marry again, the surname change becomes easier.” For Piloo, the name holds weight, tied to her personal history and not something she feels pressured to discard. “I don’t find a powerful reason to change it. Neither Ashish has a problem with it nor I. Actually, what do I have to prove by changing my surname? It has worked for me.”Piloo also spoke about Ashish’s current wife Rupali, with grace and composure. “Rupali is now writing Barua,” she said, noting the full-circle moment as Rupali adopted her maiden name after marriage. “I write Vidyarthi and she never has any issue with it. She is also a very simple person.”She didn’t shy away from offering her take on contemporary relationships, calling many marriages “pretentious and dishonest.” With admirable candour, she described how she and Ashish parted ways with mutual understanding. “He found a person he deserves. A clean soul,” she said, warmly acknowledging his new chapter. “It’s over and I’ve moved on.”When asked whether she had emotionally moved on as well, her response was clear. She added, “Yes, I have. I don’t feel a lack of anything. I don’t miss any luxury. But sure, there are small things, like not having a partner.” Still, remarriage isn’t on her radar. “I’m open to love if at all, but not remarriage at this point in time.”She also weighed in on the world of digital dating with a touch of humor: “It doesn’t work for me. I can’t meet people like that.” Yet she hasn’t closed the door completely. “If a connection happens naturally, I’m open to it.”On work front, Piloo was recently seen in two projects – ‘Sarzameen’ alongside Kajol, Prithviraj Sukumaran and Ibrahim Ali Khan. She was also seen in ‘Mandala Murders’ with Vaani Kapoor.
