Anita Rani says Family Treated her Differently to her Brother

Anita Rani has revealed that her family treated her differently to her brother whilst growing up in a Punjabi household.

For a long time, the TV presenter has credited her Punjabi upbringing for her successful broadcasting career.

However, in an interview with the Sunday Times Magazine, Anita has spoken about the obstacles she faced.

She and her brother Kuldeep explained how their upbringing differed from the rest of their family.

Anita said her parents often said Kuldeep, who was calm and unlike other Punjabi men, should have been born a girl and she, who was loud, should have been the boy.

Anita said: “Women are treated differently in a Punjabi household.

“On the day I was born my gran said, ‘We don’t celebrate girls’.”

She claimed she was told to be obedient and that marriage was important. Anita also said that in her family’s culture, it was deeply ingrained that boys were to be treasured.

The former Strictly Come Dancing star recalled being the one who had to do the dishes because boys were not expected to help with chores.

Anita Rani continued: “The first time he (Kuldeep) went out and rolled in at 3 am with his mates, my mum was up and made them all chapattis.

“She never did that for me.”

Anita admitted she had to “battle” in order to have long studies and to create something for herself even though her parents were liberal.

When she applied to go to university, Anita revealed her mother told her:

“You know how many people have said that we give you too much freedom and that you’re too educated?”

She added that while her parents never forced her to get married, she felt they brainwashed her from birth by telling her she could marry anyone as long as they were an Indian man.

Anita Rani married Bhupinder Rehal after meeting in 2008. The pair live in East London.

Meanwhile, Kuldeep revealed he was pressured to be less sensitive and to provide for his family and his parents.

The pair were raised by their mother Lakhbir and their father Balvinder, who met through an arranged marriage.

She grew up in a life full of contrast as she attended a private school where most pupils were white.

Anita also said she and Kuldeep helped at their parent’s manufacturing business and that she was encouraged to get a job as soon as possible in order to make herself some pocket money.

On racism, Anita had said: “Of course I have experienced racism but maybe not as badly as my husband, an Asian male.

“For a long time, we have acknowledged that we have to work twice as hard and we were made to feel grateful for opportunities.

“Our parents taught us that we have to ‘get on with it’.”