Back after baby, On their own terms

For decades, motherhood was often seen as a career-ending event for actresses. However, with the rise of social media and changing societal attitudes, the notion that motherhood is a pause button on an actor's career is rapidly becoming a thing of the past. Several high-profile actresses are now taking control of their careers.

Choosing when to return to work and how to balance their personal and professional lives.

Kiara Advani Who Welcomed Her

Kiara Advani, who welcomed her first child in July 2025, is a shining example of this shift. Despite being pregnant while shooting portions of her latest release Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups. Kiara has been vocal about how motherhood has changed her.

"I feel like a completely different person before and after becoming a mother," she revealed in an interview on Raj Shamani's podcast. This newfound confidence is evident in her approach to her career, with Kiara stating that motherhood has made her "more of a tigress."

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Parineeti Chopra, who welcomed her first child in October 2025, is another actress who is redefining what it means to be a working mother. Despite shooting parts of her upcoming web series Shaque: Trust No One while pregnant. Parineeti has made it clear that she will not let motherhood dictate her career choices.

"I don’t think I’ve had a single conversation with a maker, director or writer who has mentioned motherhood to me," she said at the trailer launch in Mumbai. This confidence and determination are inspiring others to follow in her footsteps.

Richa Chadha Who Took Time

Richa Chadha, who took time away from acting after welcoming her daughter in July 2024, is now set to return onscreen in an upcoming crime-thriller series as a detective. "As much as I would have liked to get back sooner, my body, my mind wasn’t ready at all," she wrote about returning to work after nearly two years of maternity leave.

This candid admission highlights the importance of prioritizing one's well-being and taking time when needed.

Bipasha Basu, who welcomed daughter Devi in November 2022, is marking a comeback with Hansal Mehta’s upcoming crime thriller series Barabanki. After embracing motherhood, Bipasha has spoken about the pressure on women to look the same immediately after having a child and the importance of postpartum body-shaming awareness.

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Her return to acting is a proof to her strength and determination to pursue her passions.

For Preity Zinta, who welcomed twins Jai and Gia through surrogacy in 2021, the gap between her last film appearance and her upcoming return is not a source of regret. "I didn’t miss it, to be honest," she told HT City.

"I was enjoying having a family; it was new to me, having kids, focusing on my personal life." This perspective highlights the importance of prioritizing one's personal life and finding joy in motherhood, rather than feeling pressured to return to work immediately.