Shobna Gulati, ‘Coronation Street’ Star, Shares Non-Binary Identity
Shobna Gulati identifies as non-binary (Image: GETTY)
Shobna Gulati, renowned for portraying Sunita Alahan in ‘Coronation Street’ for twelve years, has publicly identified as non-binary. The actor revealed that this sense of self has been lifelong, and that contemporary terminology, particularly from younger generations, provided the language to articulate their identity.
Speaking about their personal journey, Gulati stated, “I’ve become more comfortable describing myself simply as a person. The term people use now is non-binary. So, I believe that is who I am.” They added, “I never had the vocabulary for it, but I have learned from younger individuals what the appropriate term is, as I understand the feeling of being me.”
Understanding Non-Binary Identity
A non-binary person is someone whose gender identity does not exclusively align with traditional concepts of male or female. Their gender can be fluid, encompassing aspects of both genders, or existing outside of those categories entirely. Gulati proudly lists “she/they” pronouns on Instagram.
The actor shared these insights on Kaye Adams’ ‘How to be 60’ podcast, scheduled for release tomorrow. Reflecting at age 58, Gulati noted, “Throughout my life, I lacked the words to express this, and I never managed to explain it. I suppose my immediate family hadn’t really considered it,” according to reports.
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Shobna Gulati as Sunita Alahan in ‘Coronation Street’ (Image: Getty Images)
Family Acceptance and Self-Realization
Rather than focusing on labels, Gulati’s family perceived them as embodying both traditionally feminine and masculine traits, appreciating them as “the person who fell out of the tree and equally the person who put on all this makeup and did a dance.”
Gulati recounted a pivotal conversation with a sound engineer on a production, which triggered a significant self-discovery.
“The sound engineer shared with me that they were non-binary, and I asked, ‘What is that?’ They explained the concept, and I thought, ‘Well, that resonates with me, but I never had the language for it.'”
“They described seeing themselves as a person, where the gendered pronouns ‘he’ or ‘she’ were inconsequential to their identity. I realised, ‘That’s precisely how I’ve always felt.’ And now, I feel empowered to express it openly. I believe those around me have long accepted me for who I am without needing explanation, but I suppose when directly asked now, I will articulate it.”
Shobna Gulati is well-known for their ‘Corrie’ role (Image: ITV)
Early Career and Gender Norms
Reflecting on their early television career, particularly their role as Anita in ‘Dinnerladies’ during the 1990s, Gulati admitted feeling pressured to conform to feminine expectations.
They recalled a conversation with Kaye Adams: “My father would make comments such as, ‘Oh, you haven’t dressed up today,’ or ‘You haven’t washed your hair,’ or ‘Your hair looks flat, you can’t go out like that.’ I would question, ‘Why not?'”
“He would also comment on my mannerisms, saying I walked ‘like a boy,’ a sentiment echoed by others. That walk, those characteristics, are integral to who I am, and now, I wholeheartedly embrace them.”
‘Coronation Street’ Fame and Career Anxiety
Gulati rose to prominence in 2001 with the role of Sunita, the notable shop assistant in ‘Coronation Street’. The character’s storyline involved marrying local business owner Dev Alahan, becoming a parent to twins Aadi and Asha, and being central to numerous dramatic storylines.
However, the actor recently revealed persistent anxiety about job security during their time on the iconic soap opera, stating that showrunners frequently considered removing their character.
Shobna Gulati also featured in ‘Dinnerladies’ (Image: PA)
“Maintaining your role is constant pressure,” Gulati explained. “Continuity on a programme like that is not guaranteed. They were always attempting to eliminate my character, and eventually, they did.”
Personal Life and Relationships
Originally from Lancashire, Gulati married architect Anshu Srivastava in a traditional Hindu ceremony at the young age of 23, though the marriage ended after four years. A year later, they became a single parent to their son Akshay, now 30 years old.
Joining ‘Coronation Street’ as a single parent, Gulati suggested that the intense public attention of fame might have prevented them from having more children and significantly affected their private life.
The soap star, who was romantically linked to ‘Emmerdale’ actor Gary Turner for four years during their time on ‘Corrie’, commented, “I did have relationships, but they were very public.”
Reflections on Love and Future Relationships
“It was disheartening for me, as I felt I lacked the time to properly nurture a relationship, have more children, and enjoy a private life, because it was so exposed and lacked privacy.”
“But that is in the past, and I haven’t had more children. That opportunity did not arise, which I sometimes regret, or perhaps I didn’t meet the right individuals due to the pervasive public attention.”
Gulati also disclosed a new romantic interest on the ‘How to be 60’ podcast, stating, “I believe I’ve loved this person my entire life.”
They also expressed openness to future relationships, saying, “They indicated they would willingly date someone regardless of gender.”
Expanding on their perspective on love and attraction, Gulati added, “That’s also something I’m exploring—what that means for me. So, yes, I would absolutely pursue a connection with a person, irrespective of their gender.”
Continued Career Success
Since departing ‘Coronation Street’, Shobna Gulati has sustained a successful career, with recent roles in the sitcom ‘Hullraisers’ and as Chief Superintendent Khalon in the final two episodes of ‘Vera’ earlier this year.