Television actress Jaya Bhattacharya, known to millions for her role as Payal in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, has opened up about the darkest phases of her early life. In a deeply personal conversation with host Siddharth Kanan, the actress shared that her childhood was marked by violence, emotional trauma and an unhappy home.
Recalling her early years, Jaya said being born a girl felt like “the biggest misfortune.” Her parents, she revealed, were trapped in a toxic marriage, and their constant conflict eventually trickled down to her. She described her mother as unfulfilled and unhappy, which resulted in incomplete love and harsh treatment. “I have been beaten with a hunter, rolling pin, tongs, shoes everything. I have been beaten a lot,” Jaya said, adding that the trauma made her stubborn but also deeply damaged.
Jaya admitted that while her bond with her mother was painful, she was closer to her father. The resentment from childhood, she said, continued well into her adult life, shaping her behaviour and the way she dealt with people. She also shared that she grew up learning the wrong lessons like judging others, undervaluing people, and not supporting a child in public.
Surprisingly, acting was never her dream. Trained in dance and music, she never planned a career in front of the camera. But fate had other plans. She recalled an early telefilm opportunity where the director asked her to perform both female and male roles, something she didn’t want to do. Still, her father took her to the shoot, unknowingly setting the stage for her acting journey.
