Juggling Between Parenthood & Stardom — The Unseen Struggles Of Celebrity Parents

From exotic international vacations to red carpets it may seem like your favourite celebrities are living a dream life under the limelight, however, that’s just a fraction of their reality. They too have their own set of struggles to face, especially when it comes to balancing stardom and parenthood. 

It isn’t easy to strike a balance between fulfilling professional commitments and at the same time being present for their children, both emotionally and physically. The truth is, no amount of glitter and gold can shield one from the responsibilities of being a parent. 

In a recent interview, actress Radhika Apte opened up about the struggles of being a celebrity parent. On being asked whether she thinks that the film industry is conducive to new moms like her, she replied, 

“I don’t think they are. I don't know how I’m going to navigate that going ahead.”  

Radhika, who welcomed her first baby with husband Benedict Taylor in December last year, also shared that she now finds it hard to work in the industry. 

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“It’s really difficult to work in our film industry, given the number of hours and how we film generally, and the time for which we don’t get to see the child. So I guess I’ll just have to figure it out now,” she revealed.

Radhika’s statement comes on the heels of the controversy involving actress Deepika Padukone and Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga. The actress quit ‘Spirit’ after being  labelled ‘unprofessional’ for allegedly asking for 8-hour workdays along with a few other conditions. 

Actor Ajay Devgn came out in Deepika’s support, stating 

"Most of the honest filmmakers would not have a problem with it. Also, other than new moms working for 8 hours, most people have started working for 8 hours. I think it's person to person, and most of the industry understands"

A few days back, actor Saif Ali Khan also highlighted the importance of spending quality time with children and reflected on what success really means to him. 

“I hate coming home and seeing the kids already asleep. That's not success. Success is being able to say, 'No, I need to go home now to catch that half hour with them. We get four holidays a year, and when my kids are on break, I don't work. That time is sacred. I'm at that crazy age where I have to call both my mom and my children. You think it’s just your parents you have to check on — then you realize it's both"

Highlighting how the role shifts as soon as they step inside their home, Actress Jyotika, a mother of two, once commented,

"I guess we leave the superstardom outside the door when we enter home. There, we are just parents of our kids.”

Bhagyashree, best known for her role in ‘Maine Pyar Kia’ opposite Salman Khan, shared her share of struggles in an interview with TOI. “

To strike the balance somewhere, there is no right or wrong. It is a fight that you have to win every day. I didn't believe in leaving my children with nannies. Though I had my in-laws, I didn't think it was right to expect them to look after a toddler. And I would hate it if I were to come back home and someone told me, ‘We are looking after your kids’” 

Recently Athiya Shetty quit the film industry. This came almost 2 months after welcoming her first child with husband KL Rahul. In an interview with Zoom, Athiya's father, Suniel Shetty revealed,

“She’s got the best role of her life. You know, she’s working in the best film, and that is life, the role of a mother, and she’s loving it,” 

Do you find it difficult to manage work and parenthood too? Share your story with us in the comments.