They say when a women embraces motherhood, she embraces a whole new chapter of her life. From the moment she discovers she is pregnant, her world changes. And amid all these changes, over the years, women have shown that pregnancy isn’t a pause button, highlighting their strength and determination towards their lives. In Bollywood itself, some trailblazers have embraced the challenges of impending motherhood without compromising their craft, showcasing strength, professionalism, and the power to redefine what’s possible on and off screen.
Bollywood actresses who shot movies during their pregnancy
Deepika Padukone
Deepika Padukone, the actress who is known for her utter dedication to her craft, was pregnant during the shoot of her ‘Singham Returns’ and ‘Kalki 2898 AD’. Despite the demanding nature of the latter, which was a sci-fi action film, she remained committed to her role. Reportedly, extra safety protocols and medical care were meticulously planned around her schedule to ensure her and the baby’s well-being.
Further, talking about Deepika working in ‘Singham Again’ during her pregnancy, her husband Ranveer Singh at an event in 2024 said, “There are so many stars in this film. So, let me tell you, this is my baby’s debut, baby Simmba.”His comment won hearts!
Kareena Kapoor Khan
Kareena Kapoor Khan also continued to work during both of her pregnancies. While expecting her first child, she finished filming ‘Veere Di Wedding,’ and during her second pregnancy, she returned to the set of ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ alongside Aamir Khan. Additionally, she walked the runway, graced magazine covers, and maintained various brand endorsements during this time.
She didn’t let anything come in her way. She enjoyed every phase of her pregnancy and at the same time ensured to fulfil every professional commitment.
Alia Bhatt
Another Bollywood diva who shot during her pregnancy is Alia Bhatt. She kept filming Karan Johar’s ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani,’ and even fulfilled her Hollywood commitment. She went overseas to complete her Hollywood debut, ‘Heart of Stone,’ while she was expecting her daughter Raha. Alia managed demanding schedules, dance practice, and promotional activities, all while staying fit and focusing on her well-being. She frequently acknowledged her team for assisting her in her choice to continue working.During a press event in 2022, the actress candidly spoke about filming during her pregnancy. She said, “Agar aap fit ho, healthy ho, fine ho toh koi rest lene ki zarurat hai hi nahi. Kaam karna mujhe sukoon deta hai, meri passion hai (Work gives me peace, acting is my passion. If you’re fit and healthy, you don’t need to rest during pregnancy).”
Yami Gautam
Actor Yami Gautam announced her pregnancy at the trailer launch event of her film, ‘Article 370.’ She revealed being pregnant during the shoot of the very movie and shared why she kept it a secret initially. “We took a lot of precautions. It wasn’t the time to tell everybody, and it was kept a secret while shooting. But luckily, I had only the talkie portions left to shoot. But I thank the doctors who monitored me secretly,” said the actress.
Further, speaking about how she managed her shoot while a beautiful baby was developing inside of her, she shared, “Most of the training and stunts were done (by the time I was pregnant). You want to be careful. It’s surreal my baby was a part of this (film), it was always two of us putting in the hard work.” She added that since she has seen her mother balancing work with ease and grace through her pregnancy, she drew inspiration from her. “I was also inspired by my mother; I’ve seen her work through pregnancy. We Indian women are stronger than we give ourselves credit for,” said the star.And the list goes on….
Kalki Koechlin
Kalki was expecting while working on the psychological thriller ‘Bhram’. Despite coping with morning sickness and emotional challenges, she finished the filming with the support of a thoughtful cast and crew. It wasn’t an easy road for her, though, as she mentioned in several media interviews that playing a character with mental health struggles while expecting her first child was both challenging and empowering.
Neha Dhupia
In her second pregnancy, Neha filmed for ‘A Thursday.’ She played a tough, no-nonsense police officer who is pregnant. It is worth noting that her character was not initially conceived as pregnant, but the filmmakers improvised the script. On the three year anniversary of the movie, the actress shared on her social media, “This one Wil always be the bravest … 3 years of #athursday today … by far one of the most challenging parts I have played as a pregnant #cop while i was 7/8 months pregnant … to shoot an action film as an actor and a mom to be under the given physical conditions was really intense … to shoot in the rain , straight out of a lockdown with all precautions and to carry our baby boy who is now a tad bit older than the film 😍…”
“Gosh it all seems like yesterday, the morning sickness, the early wake up calls, the many little platforms built to step into my vanity van, the trouser sizes going up with every schedule, the worried look on everyone’s faces each time I took a really deep breathe ( I must admit those reactions were extremely cute n humbling ) the contractions kicking in on the last day of my dub ( now imagine the timing of that) … and then to give birth to our gorgeous baby boy who loves the idea of the movies as much as we do 👉 the last image is proof!!!I feel so blessed sharing this … Working thru my pregnancy right upto the 8 th month really made me feel unstoppable in many ways …I hope somewhere this little part of my life empowers a few of us mamas n women,” she concluded.
Sridevi
Sridevi wrapped up ‘Judaai’ while expecting her first child. She took a brief break from acting after the film but remained one of the few ’90s icons who worked right up to her maternity leave. Her final scenes in Judaai are remembered for their emotional intensity.
Hema Malini
Hema was pregnant with Esha Deol while filming Razia Sultan. Recently, at the 10th International Women’s Conference, held in Bengaluru, the actress spoke about managing her work during and after pregnancy. She said, “It was my dream to have a child. I was so excited when Esha was born, yet I continued my career as a dancer and actress. An actress’s career has limitations, but a dancer’s doesn’t. I remember shooting even while pregnant with her. I was working on Razia Sultan — I think I was five or six months pregnant. If you’re strong and determined, you can achieve anything. This was, of course, thanks to my family’s support, my mother, my aunt, and everyone. They took care of the children, allowing me to continue my dance and film careers. I was very particular, though.” “To avoid them missing school, I’d take them and drop them off myself. Then I’d go to shoots and come back early. I told producers I wouldn’t do late shoots; they had to finish my work by 6 pm. I planned my life carefully to manage everything. Today, I see the same thing happening with my daughters and their children,” she added.
Sharmila Tagore
A trailblazer, Sharmila continued acting during her pregnancies. She was pregnant with Saif Ali Khan during ‘Aradhana’ and with Soha Ali Khan during ‘Choti Bahu’.Her elegant, composed screen presence never wavered, making her a pioneer for working mothers in Indian cinema.In a nutshell…These remarkable stories of Bollywood actresses reflect not only their unwavering commitment to their craft but also the profound strength and resilience inherent in motherhood. By seamlessly balancing their professional aspirations with the demands of pregnancy, these women have shattered stereotypes and redefined the perception of working mothers in the entertainment industry. Their journeys inspire many, showcasing that with determination and support, it is possible to navigate the complexities of motherhood while pursuing one’s passion. As they continue to break barriers, they serve as powerful reminders that motherhood does not signal the end of a career, but rather a new beginning filled with possibilities.
