Nearly two decades after their high-profile separation, the marital turmoil between actor Shweta Tiwari and her former husband Raja Chaudhary has resurfaced in public discourse. In a candid interview with Siddharth Kannan, Raja Chaudhary revisited his long-standing allegations, asserting once again that Shweta had been in an extra-marital relationship with her Kasautii Zindagii Kay co-star Cezanne Khan. While Raja maintains that he acted upon concrete evidence witnessed during their marriage, Shweta Tiwari had previously countered these claims by accusing him of domestic violence and financial exploitation, leading to their contentious legal split 19 years ago.
Early Beginnings, Bhojpuri Cinema, and Marriage Against Family Consent
Shweta Tiwari embarked on her acting journey at a very young age, establishing herself as a prominent figure in the Bhojpuri film industry by the time she was 16 or 17 years old. Her work in regional cinema brought her early fame and financial stability. During this phase of her career, she met Raja Chaudhary. As their romance blossomed, Shweta's family expressed strong opposition to the relationship, urging her not to pursue the alliance.
Driven by youthful conviction, Shweta Tiwari chose to marry Raja Chaudhary at the age of 18, defying her family's objections. In the initial years of their marriage, the couple welcomed their daughter, Palak Tiwari. However, the marital harmony was short-lived, as friction between the two escalated over time. The growing personal disputes soon spilled into the public eye, revealing deep fractures in their relationship.
Allegations Involving Kasautii Zindagii Kay Co-Star Cezanne Khan
The central point of conflict, according to Raja Chaudhary, stemmed from Shweta Tiwari's work on the hit television series Kasautii Zindagii Kay. Raja alleged that Shweta frequently visited and stayed at the residence of her co-star Cezanne Khan under the pretext of demanding shooting schedules. He emphasized that his suspicion was not a product of his imagination, but rather based on evidence he personally observed while they were still married.
Expanding on these allegations, Raja Chaudhary stated that a mutual friend had also confirmed the relationship to him. The friend disclosed that Shweta Tiwari and Cezanne Khan regularly spent time together after completing their daily work commitments. Raja asserted that Shweta was dating other people during their marriage, which ultimately prompted him to take a firm stance regarding their future.
Discrepancies in Shooting Schedules and Studio Visits
To substantiate his claims, Raja Chaudhary recounted two specific incidents from that period. In the first instance, he dropped Shweta Tiwari off at her designated filming location before driving away. However, upon returning shortly afterward to retrieve an item left inside his vehicle, he found that Shweta was nowhere to be found at the shoot venue, raising immediate concerns.
In a second instance, Raja decided to pay a surprise visit to Shweta's filming studio. Upon arriving and inquiring with the production crew, he was informed that no shooting schedule had been planned for her on that particular day. These unannounced visits and unexpected absences further intensified the mistrust between the couple.
Direct Confrontation, Telephone Exchange, and Financial Settlement
The tension eventually led Raja Chaudhary to contact Cezanne Khan directly over the phone. Raja recalled asking Cezanne to stay away from his wife and cease interfering in their married life. In response, Cezanne allegedly stated that he and Shweta had always been together, while also allegedly referring to Raja as Shweta's unpaid boy during the heated exchange.
The marriage ultimately ended in divorce, marked by opposing allegations from both sides. While Raja Chaudhary accused Shweta of infidelity, Shweta filed for divorce on grounds of domestic violence and misrepresentation of funds. To secure full custody of her daughter Palak Tiwari and finalize the separation, Shweta required Raja to relinquish his house and accept a substantial financial settlement. Nineteen years later, these allegations continue to draw attention as a reminder of one of television's most publicized celebrity breakups.
