Yami Gautam Dhar made her return to work in September 2024, just four months after welcoming her baby, Vedavid. As she gears up to promote her upcoming film Dhoom Dhaam, the actress reflects on how much the industry has evolved, particularly for female actors.
In a recent interview, Yami spoke about how the landscape has changed over the years, noting that many actresses today are no longer held back by outdated perceptions about marriage and motherhood. She shared, “We have come a long way. I do think about this… we are so fortunate to have reached a stage like this. A lot of work has gone into it. Imagine there was a time, not just for actresses, but even for actors, where they maybe didn’t disclose their marriage because of a certain image. Of course, it was there to a greater extent for an actress.”
Yami added that the notion of balancing career and family has shifted dramatically. Recalling advice she received from a senior in the industry, she said, “Someone very senior once told me, ‘Your biological clock is always in contradiction with your career clock.’ I can’t even imagine, that time was so different, and I am sure creatively so restricted.”
The actress believes that today, women in the industry should have the freedom to make their own choices. “It should be your choice whether you want to work or don’t want to work after getting married or starting a family, that’s the kind of environment needed. If an actress wants to work after having a baby, she should be absolutely free.”
She emphasised that longevity in the industry comes from consistently choosing substantial roles. “It also depends on the kind of filmography you create for yourself. Longevity is the key. The road to that is doing consistent substantial work,” Yami concluded.
As the industry continues to evolve, Yami’s journey serves as a testament to the positive changes in the way motherhood and career are viewed for women in Bollywood.