Veteran actor Soni Razdan has opened up about the challenges of balancing a career in the film industry with motherhood during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Reflecting on her professional life, Razdan noted that she continued to work through both her pregnancies, often facing difficulties that contrast with the more supportive environment experienced by contemporary actors, including her daughter, Alia Bhatt.
In an interview with Screen, Razdan recalled her first pregnancy while filming the 1986 television show Buniyaad, directed by Ramesh Sippy and Jyoti Swarup. She credited the production team for their assistance, noting that they provided transportation from her home in the undeveloped Lokhandwala complex at the time and ensured she had comfortable facilities on set. Following the birth of her first daughter, Shaheen Bhatt, in 1988, Razdan became pregnant again while working on her husband Mahesh Bhatt’s 1993 crime thriller Gumrah.
Recalling the shoot for Gumrah, the actor revealed an unusual experience where she was unaware she was expecting Alia. While filming a smoking scene, she consumed approximately 100 cigarettes in a single day. She mentioned that she was not a smoker at the time but experienced intense cravings. Later in the same project, she performed a sequence involving a gallows. Upon returning to the set after a five-month hiatus, she had to have her costumes altered as her pregnancy began to show.
Razdan contrasted these experiences with the modern film industry, noting that actresses today do not need to hide their motherhood to maintain professional commitments. She recounted a past incident while filming the 1995 show A Mouthful of Sky in Saki Naka, where she faced stress after learning her daughters were locked out of their house. She expressed gratitude that such pressures, where actors had to “tiptoe” around their family responsibilities, have significantly decreased for current performers.
Key facts
- Soni Razdan’s television debut was the 1986 series Buniyaad, which ran until 1987.
- Razdan unknowingly smoked about 100 cigarettes in one day while filming the 1993 film Gumrah.
- The actor also performed a gallows scene for Gumrah while pregnant with her daughter, Alia.
- Razdan noted that she worked through her pregnancies, including roles in shows like A Mouthful of Sky and Junoon.
Why it matters
The veteran actor highlighted a significant evolution in the mindset of producers and directors, who are now more accommodating toward the personal lives of working mothers. She remarked that she is particularly pleased that Alia Bhatt does not have to conceal her motherhood or fear that it might impact her professional opportunities, unlike the environment she faced during her own early career.
Background
During the early stages of her marriage, Razdan faced difficulty finding consistent work, as some in the industry questioned why she needed to work after marrying filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt. She noted that production houses like Cinevistaas Limited provided her with steady employment during that period, including roles in projects such as Saahil and Junoon.
Source: Times of India, Indian Express
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