I was doing a series of articles for a big financial magazine and we used to handle case studies. Since this was a big magazine they could get reasonably big people to give details about their finances and we would do the story.

One day I suggested that we do stories on 2 film stars. Both women with children – and the kids were just about getting independent. Both the women were ex actresses and could now not be gainfully employed as artistes. However, both were talented and could do something else to make a living.

Both the women said something like this “I am not sure how to invest, but all money is in LIC policies and I know it is safe”. On probing I found that both of them had some money, but it was nowhere near enough for their old age. One actress was sure that her children would support her in case of need, but the other one was not sure of that.

However, both these women were not willing to go and do a photo shoot about their lack of knowledge of finance. Both of them did not need any life insurance, but needed medical insurance (which they did not have). Both had worked with their husbands – and had no clue about whether they were paid market rates, or whether they were paid for all the work that they did. Both did not ASK FOR ALIMONY – they wanted a divorce by mutual consent and did not want to fight (I did not ask them anything personal about the divorce, just stuck to finances).

Today Gautami has said that she was not paid for work done when she was living with Kamal. That is even worse – she has no rights at all. As a partner, as a live-in partner, or as a contract with Kamal for the work done.

Agreements are for bad times. Nobody does an agreement with one’s wife if she is helping him in the business – just nobody. However, women do give up their jobs to look after his parents, the children, look after the house, the business, etc. One day if she is forced to walk out -for whatever reasons – she has no financial security. That is tough.

I suggest that women helping their husbands in their business should keep some money for themselves. I know of anesthesia doctors helping their surgeon husbands. I know one anesthesia doctor NOT DOING ANY BUSINESS other than husbands surgeries. However when the husband died..she was lost!

No. I am not saying that all women should enter into a contract with their husbands when they get married. However, one does not know whether Sarika got paid for her efforts with Kamal when she was working with him. Gautami says she was not paid fair wages and she has some dues to recover……………so decide on your own. Just be careful, that is all.