Popular Tamil actress-model Samyuktha Shanmughanathan became a household name across Tamil Nadu after her stint on Bigg Boss Tamil season 4 and has also been seen in several big films alongside leading Tamil cinema superstars. Some of her most notable appearances in Tamil films include Vijay Sethupathi's Tughlaq Durbar (2021), Prabhu Deva's My Dear Bootham (2022), the Jiiva and Jai-starrer Coffee with Kadhal (2022), and most recently in 'Thalapathy' Vijay's blockbuster Varisu released earlier this year. Having garnered a big fan following over the years, Samyuktha Shan recently took part in a special fans meet organized by Galatta and opened up on the challenges she faced after her marriage went sideways and how popular Vijay Television presenter Bhavna Balakrishnan was her biggest support during the toughest phase in her life.

Samyuktha said, "It was during the COVID-19 time when I came to know that my husband had been living with someone else in Dubai for over four years. I didn't know what to do. I was completely heartbroken. I couldn't travel anywhere since it was COVID-19 and this was right around the time after the Master audio launch. She (Bhavana) was also in our apartment building as her in-laws were staying there. Although we weren't well-acquainted, we started to take walks together and it came to her asking me about my family life. Usually, even if there are problems in a marriage, the standard reply would be to say that everything is normal. However, I broke down during our conversation and explained to her everything that had happened during that time. Even though we weren't close friends, she stood as a big support and consoled me a lot." She continued, "Since it was COVID-19, we used to spend a lot of time and do workouts together. It was my eighth wedding anniversary and I was in a lot of pain emotionally because I was heartbroken. I was a homemaker and dependent and asked Bhavana what should I do. She encouraged me to pursue what I liked doing since I had to take care of my child. It was then when she told me to give Bigg Boss a shot and she then referred my name to the concerned team. If the world knows who Samyuktha is, it is through this entire process."

Watch Samyuktha Shan talk about her marriage and her friendship with Bhavna Balakrishnan in the video below: