Exclusive: Yami Gautam Dhar on how life has changed after motherhood!

Yami Gautam Dhar took a step back last year when she embraced motherhood. However, just four months after her husband, filmmaker Aditya Dhar, and she welcomed their son, Vedavid, the actress got back to reading scripts and is now set to begin filming a new project.
‘Motherhood has introduced me to a completely new side to myself’
Talking about how life has changed after motherhood, Yami shares, “Firstly, motherhood has introduced me to a completely new side to myself. It’s a different experience. I feel blessed both personally and professionally. While I’m back to work, I wouldn’t really call it a ‘break’. I was promoting a film even when I was pregnant. And now, when I begin shooting, my baby will be with me on set. As a parent, I’m naturally protective, and both Aditya and I have made a conscious decision to request the paparazzi to respect our privacy and refrain from sharing pictures on public platforms.”
‘Family is my priority, but I also believe in finding a balance’
The Bala actress says that while she is thoroughly enjoying motherhood, being a part of exciting projects is also a part of the plan. “I’ve worked hard my whole life to reach where I am today, and I’ve been patient with my choices. Now, when producers and directors are keen to work with me, why would I stop? Family is my priority, but I also believe in finding a balance. My mother always says that as long as you’re healthy, nothing should hold you back from working. After all, how many people get such opportunities? I remember waiting for the right role in audition halls, and now that so many opportunities are coming my way, I take it as a blessing, and I am embracing the work.”

‘It wasn’t about getting in shape but about prioritising health’
Elaborating on what she focuses on to lead a healthy life, Yami says, “It’s not about getting in shape, but getting back to good health. You need to prioritise that. We live in times where we are surrounded by so much attention and scrutiny. Whether you are an actor or not, you often get told, ‘Oh, you gained so much weight’. I think these are very fickle things. It is important to be patient with yourself and thankful that you and the baby are healthy. I am a little traditional when it comes to eating and following certain habits. I also took to something as basic as walking. I feel the power of walking is just underrated. I slowly got back to functional training and also yoga.”

‘Aditya suggested our son’s name’
Yami reveals, “The name was suggested by my husband. We loved the sound and the meaning, and our families agreed. My siblings and I have unique names, and we wanted a distinctive name for our son with a connection to our scriptures and Vedas — things we’ve grown up learning and feeling connected with.”