Anjum Fakih on leaving conservative parents for showbiz: I put away my burqa, packed my bags and left home

Anjum Fakih, who is now known as Srishty of Kundali Bhagya, has not had an easy journey in showbiz. From someone who had never watched TV till she was a teenager, to becoming a television actress herself, she has come a long way. Anjum, who belongs to a traditional Muslim family from Ratnagiri, ruffled a lot of feathers when she decided to take up modelling as a career. (Photo: Instagram)

The actress told TOI, "My family was quite strict and conservative, and even watching TV was taboo in our house. Finally, when I was in Class 9, my father bought a television set after much persuasion. In fact, my grandfather did not visit us for two years because we had a TV at home!" (Photo: Instagram)

While they were conservative about certain things, Anjum’s parents were very particular about giving their children good education. "My father wanted us to be well educated. So, in 2009, when I told them about my decision to quit studies and pursue modelling, they were very upset. It was almost like there was an earthquake in my house, and they said that I would have to leave home if I wanted to enter showbiz. I put away my burqa, packed my bags and left home," she said. (Photo: Instagram)

Life wasn't rosy in Mumbai. Anjum recalled, "I started working as a sales executive in stores, selling perfumes. Those days, I used to walk from Bandra to Andheri to give auditions. I did not have money, but never called my parents for support. There used to be a food joint on Carter Road and the uncle there would feed me veg pulao every day, free of cost." (Photo: Instagram)

After a few months of struggle, Anjum finally landed a modelling assignment. She shared, "It was an assignment in Goa, which required me to wear a bikini. When I informed my family about it, all hell broke loose. For one year, they did not keep in touch with me." (Photo: Instagram)

Today, however, the situation is different. Anjum, who is currently seen in 'Kundali Bhagya', said, "Slowly, my parents began to understand my career, and they are happy to watch me on screen now. They are probably happy to see me in a salwar kameez on TV now (laughs!). It’s all so good now, that my mother even stays with me." (Photo: Instagram)

On the personal front, the actress confesses that she has been single for five years now. She says, “I am open to falling in love and getting married. The person will have to be my choice and not someone else’s." (Photo: Instagram)

Anjum has done several popular shows on TV including Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani, Devanshi and Tere Sheher Mein. (Photo: Instagram)