Kareena Kapoor to Sunny Leone: The iconic mothers of Bollywood
What's the story
India celebrates Mother's Day today. This year we want to focus on the mothers in Bollywood, who broke the entertainment industry's (and society's) norm of having women stall their careers for motherhood. And they do it all under the public's ever-watchful, critical eye. Let's take a look at the mothers, who prove that motherhood is not the complete obliteration of their womanhood.
Number 1
Kareena Kapoor Khan
Perhaps the most influential mother here, given how she barely took a hiatus after delivering her first-born, Taimur Ali Khan Pataudi, and hence, did not even need a "comeback". After a year-long absence from the silver screen, the 38-year-old actor returned with Veere Di Wedding (2018), which set the record for the highest opening day collection for any Hindi film with female protagonist(s).
Number 2
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Aishwarya was one of the most prominent actors when she stepped into Bollywood in the late-nineties/early-noughties era, and despite Bollywood's obsession with placing an 'expiry date' on female actors, she's still here. Aishwarya took a five-year break from films as she focused on her daughter Aaradhya, she returned to deliver award-winning performances in Jazbaa (2015), Sarbjit (2016), Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016).
Number 3
Madhuri Dixit Nene
Madhuri left Bollywood after the success of the 2002 hit film Devdas and she did it back when it was just a one-way street. After her two sons were born, Madhuri made a comeback with Aaja Nachle (2007), which wasn't a success, but her boisterous welcome indicated that she was here to rule the industry. The 51-year-old actor was last seen in Kalank (2019).
Number 4
Sunny Leone
Despite all the hardship that came with her former career, Sunny Leone aka Karenjit Kaur has managed to keep her head up, all while mothering three children. Although her performances never received critical acclaim, Sunny has taken advantage of her incredible journey and stardom. With appearances on reality TV, and her recent biographical webseries Karenjit Kaur on ZEE5, she has kept her career afloat.
Number 5
Twinkle Khanna
After she got married to Akshay Kumar, Twinkle left acting. In spite of that, she has maintained her stronghold in the industry. Immediately after her exit, the former actor ventured into interior designing. She then set up a production company and is now a bigtime Bollywood producer. Her last film, PadMan (2018), was a huge success. She's also one of India's highest-selling female writers.
Number 6
Malaika Arora
Malaika Arora never really left Bollywood, because she wasn't really there, to begin with. The 45-year-old never tried to be a leading film actor. Malaika has often only focused on special appearances in big-budget films, and hosting reality shows on TV. She is currently the head judge of India's Next Top Model. Malaika is now a single mom raising her son, Arhaan.
Number 7
Ekta Ravi Kapoor
Say what you must about Ekta Kapoor, but she's out here to make a whole lot of money and she's doing it well. Although she's never been an actor, the 43-year-old is a daunting figure in the film, web, and television industries. Her next much-anticipated project is the Kangana Ranaut-starrer Mental Hai Kya. Ekta opted surrogacy in January 2019 and became a single mom.