Someone senior once told me, ‘Your biological clock is always in contradiction with your career clock’-Yami Gautam

Actor Yami Gautam Dhar returned to work in September 2024, just four months after welcoming her baby, Vedavid. Now, she is gearing up to promote her upcoming film Dhoom Dhaam. Reflecting on her journey, the actor acknowledges the shift in the industry — where once, revealing marital status was a concern, and female actors often lost opportunities post-motherhood.

“We have come a long way. I often think about this — we are so fortunate to have reached a stage like this. A lot of effort has gone into changing perceptions. Imagine, there was a time when not just actresses but even actors hesitated to disclose their marriage for the sake of their image. Of course, the pressure was much greater for actresses.”

Yami adds how societal norms around career and motherhood have evolved, yet challenges remain.

“If you want to have a family... someone very senior once told me, ‘Your biological clock is always in contradiction with your career clock’. I can’t even imagine how different those times were. Creatively, it must have been so restrictive.”

She strongly advocates for the autonomy of female actors to make choices without external pressures. “It should be entirely your choice — whether you want to continue working or take a break after marriage or starting a family. That’s the kind of environment we need. If an actress wants to work after having a baby, she should be absolutely free to do so. That being said, what I’ve realized is that it also depends on the kind of filmography you build. Longevity is key, and the way to achieve that is through consistent, substantial work.”