‘While she buys countless bags and shoes, my spending is always questioned,’ Jayam Ravi opens up

The news of Tamil actor Jayam Ravi's divorce from his wife Aarti has become a hot topic in the film industry. Jayam Ravi announced their separation through a note on his social media account, which sparked massive discussion. In response, Aarti publicly stated that the announcement was made without her knowledge which she said later was interpreted by the public.

After announcing his divorce, Jayam Ravi removed photos of Aarti and their children from social media and filed a complaint at Adyar Police Station, claiming she has barred him from their home and is seeking help to recover his belongings. He is committed to fighting for custody of their children, stating he will pursue it for as long as necessary.

Recently, Jayam Ravi shared more details about the reasons for their split during an interview with a Tamil YouTuber. He requested that the YouTuber discuss these issues on his channel, expressing a desire to shield their children from seeing him speak directly about the matter.

During the conversation, Jayam Ravi addressed claims of Aarti's excessive control in their relationship, stating that he does not receive the respect that even a domestic worker would get. He revealed that if he withdraws money for any reason, Aarti immediately calls to ask about it.

The YouTuber’s revelation

"For the past 13 years, I haven't had a personal bank account; I share a joint account with Aarti. No matter where I go or what I spend, she receives a notification. This has become increasingly intolerable. She can buy whatever she likes - hundreds of bags and shoes - but if I use the card while travelling abroad, she immediately calls to question my spending. She even asks my assistant for details. This situation was particularly humiliating once when I gave a treat to my colleagues on a major film. After I paid, she called my assistant to ask why I spent that amount, and she wanted to know who attended the treat. It was a source of great embarrassment for me.

I also didn't have access to my Instagram password, and I refrained from using WhatsApp for six years because of the complications it caused. During the filming of Brother, she called me and had the room checked via video call, questioning who was present. This led to disruptions in the shoot.

Many of my film choices are influenced by Aarti's mother, and I often face criticism for those decisions. However, when I review the financial outcomes later, I get to know that all of those films have turned out to be profitable."

The YouTuber also mentioned that Jayam Ravi told him he left their home under immense pressure. Jayam Ravi also agreed to comments made by fellow actor Vikram regarding his situation. During a promotion for Ponniyin Selvan, Vikram joked about asking Jayam Ravi if he had any pocket money, to which Ravi replied that he asks his wife for money.