It’s always a mental fight before societal pressure for a new mother to return to work while battling the unbearable desire to spend time with her newborn. For Yami Gautam, who had a son with director and husband Aditya Dhar in May 2024, the decision to go back to the screen was also clouded by this guilt. But she found solace and support in her husband and family.

“Initially, there was a feeling of mom-guilt [because I was] resuming work so soon. But my mother had told me to not allow the sentiment of motherhood hold me back as I have worked hard all my life [to be] an independent woman,” shares Gautam, who had two releases this year — Dhoom Dham and Haq. While the actor is thrilled to embrace this phase of life, she shares that her “strong and progressive mother’s support helped me to resume work.”