‘Mothers shouldn’t feel guilty about getting back to work’: Rani Mukerji

Rani Mukerji took a long hiatus after the birth of her daughter, Adira, in December 2015. She returned to the big screen with Hichki in March 2018. During the promotions of the film, the actress spoke about managing her work hours and looking after her daughter. Next, she will be seen in Mardaani 2. This time around, her break won’t be as long as her previous one. In our recent chat with her, the actress spoke about why she has always wanted to be a working woman and plans to inculcate the same in her daughter. As a mum to a four-year-old, she understands the attachment between a mother and child. “I think it’s a biological thing that we look for our mother in the time of need. When you are unwell, you like to have her around you no matter how old you are. But often, when she is at home, you tend to take her for granted. There’s a certain comfort level with your mom that you don’t even have with your best friend.”

STAY BUSY

Speaking about why working is important, she says, “Though I know that being a housewife is the most difficult job, when both the parents have jobs, the child thinks, ‘Oh, my father goes to work and so does my mum’. So, there’s some equality that comes in. I have seen my mother give up her career. She quit singing to look after my brother and me. It’s not always due to societal pressure. Often, the woman wants to be there for her children.”

Rani was happy to be in the company of her daughter. She says, “When I had Adira, I was happy being at home. It was my husband (Aditya Chopra), who pushed me to get back to work. And it’s just that little nudge that one needs because a certain comfort sets in, and you feel happy there. I was working for many years and wasn’t a young mother. I was like, ‘Let me be with my child’. But it is important for mothers to have a career. Whether it is a full-fledged position or a part-time one, that’s up to her. Eventually, your child grows up and has school hours; that’s when you realise that you have left behind your work and feel, ‘Ab main kya karoon?’ Housewives, too, can do so much today. It’s important to keep yourself busy.”

Rani Mukerji

BEING EQUAL

The Talaash actress feels that women shouldn’t feel apologetic about getting back to work after having a baby. “During your pregnancy and after childbirth, you should give yourself that break to take care of yourself and nurture the child. Just because we are mothers, we don’t need to feel guilty about getting back to work. If that’s the case, then men, too, should feel the same. But neither should feel that because we bring up a child together,” she states.

THERE WILL BE DIFFICULT DAYS

It was a change for her daughter when Rani returned to the sets. But things are different now, she points out. “Somewhere, my daughter also understands that her mother is going for a meeting or to work or for an interview. There may be days when she will throw a fit, but that’s alright. One has to understand that such situations will arise and you have to work around them. I think if a child knows that both her parents are working hard for her, she will also value the things she gets in life a little bit more,” concludes Rani.