Known for always speaking her mind, actress Swara Bhasker is currently seen in *Pati Patni Aur Panga* alongside her husband Fahad Ahmad. In this candid conversation, she opens up about being judged as a new mother, Bollywood’s biases, facing trolling, and her political voice. Excerpts:
**Every time a working mother takes a bold step, society calls it “selfish.” Have you faced that judgment after joining *Pati Patni Aur Panga* with Fahad Ahmad?**
Women get judged for whatever choice they make. If they get back to work soon after giving birth, they are termed selfish or bad mothers. If they take a break, they are judged for being lazy or taking it too easy.
“I’ve been trolled and fat-shamed for putting on weight postpartum, for not losing it fast enough, for not ‘bouncing back’ right after delivery, for choosing to take a break and be with my baby. Nasty memes had my before and after pics, comparing my size and titling it ‘What did she eat?’ It’s cruel and initially it hurt because I was a new mom but now I am used to it.”
Swara calls this a sad reflection of how utterly foolish, petty, and misogynistic our society is, highlighting that women can never win no matter what they do. “It’s a toxic trait to make cruel judgments on anyone, especially new moms, and frankly, it’s nobody’s business how people live their lives.”
She adds, “I ignore it mostly; but sometimes I call out the trolls because I believe such rubbish discourse should be challenged.”
**Actresses are often told that after becoming mothers, their “market value” in Bollywood drops. Do you think the industry is still biased against mothers?**
Swara feels society generally finds women undesirable after they become mothers, but she believes values are changing. “In contemporary times, one mainstream actress who has led that change is Kareena Kapoor. She worked until the last week of her pregnancy and was shooting for *Veere Di Wedding* nine months after delivery.”
She believes Kareena’s example has helped change attitudes, making it normal for mainstream Bollywood actresses to be back at work after motherhood. Swara also mentions, “Legendary star Nutan ji went back to work after having her baby in 1963 and continued working till the 1980s. She was the original trailblazer for actresses working after motherhood.”
**Actresses are asked if they’ll ever make a “comeback” after giving birth. How do you feel about that?**
Swara says she receives many comments and questions about when she will be back on screen and whether she will ever work again. “A lot of fans say they miss me on screen which is sweet and flattering; but I do feel pressured sometimes about getting back to work. I feel guilty for taking this break to be with my baby.”
She admits spending a lot of mental energy fighting that pressure, reminding herself, “I’ve worked for 15-16 years and it’s okay to take this time out and be a full-time mom.”
**Critics say your social media persona became bigger than your filmography. Do you regret that in hindsight?**
Swara acknowledges that her social media presence has given her a larger profile beyond her films but doesn’t see it as a bad thing. “The idea that actors should not have any opinions or a personality outside of the screen is stifling for actors as humans and I cannot operate like that. I’m an authentic person and for good or bad that’s how it is.”
She admits being punished for her frank opinions and earning the tag of being ‘controversial,’ which she considers a sign of how intolerant society and politics have become.
**Do you see your return to acting on OTT or big screens?**
“It’s not about reclaiming anything,” she says. “I’d like to work in projects that are fulfilling and do roles that are challenging and gratifying for me as an artist, that fuel my craft and creative growth. The medium of distribution is not that important for me.”
Swara expresses a desire to stop being punished for her political opinions and appreciates that *Pati Patni Aur Panga* has given her the perfect platform to take slow steps back to work at her own pace.
**If a top filmmaker came to you today and said, ‘We’ll cast you, but keep your politics out of it,’ would you accept the role?**
Swara explains, “‘Keep your politics out of it’ only means not making political statements or commenting on current affairs for the duration of the shoot, making of the film, and until the release.”
She points out the current atmosphere is very polarized and those in power criminalize and punish dissenting opinions, making silence the only way to keep working.
“I’ve already paid the price for my opinions by unofficially but effectively being blacklisted by makers; the question is, for how long will I have to keep paying this price?”
**The narrative around actresses is often: “She’s a mother now, will she still do bold roles?” Do you think motherhood should change the kind of characters you’re offered?**
Swara believes it’s not about what should or shouldn’t happen, but what actually does. “Also, women should do what they feel comfortable with. Many actresses may not want to do intimate scenes after marriage and motherhood and that’s a choice that should be respected. It doesn’t make them lesser artists.”
She adds, “An actor has a life before ‘action’ and after ‘cut,’ and they must choose how to balance both worlds according to their choice and comfort. Personally, I haven’t thought of this and will cross that bridge when I come to it.”
**Your daughter is growing up in a household where one parent gets trolled for her opinions, and the other gets trolled for his. Do you ever discuss how to shield her from this climate?**
Swara says, “My daughter is not two years old yet, so obviously we shield her from anything unpleasant and also from media exposure.”
However, she acknowledges, “She has to grow up in this world and she will have to face the reality of this world. I hope we instill values in her and give her enough love and safety in her early years so that she grows up to be a kind, courageous and resilient person.”
**Faceless trolls target you daily on social media. Does Fahad ever get upset because of these reasons?**
“All the time,” Swara laughs. “Earlier, only my brother and PR managers would say these things. Now, Fahad has joined them too.”
She understands this comes from a place of concern and desire to protect her. “I’m an impulsive and impractical person but I do take principled positions. My loved ones and family know better than anyone else the cost of speaking out that I’ve had to bear. Their fears are totally understandable.”
Adding to this is the fact that Fahad is a politician, a field even more perception-sensitive than films. “So, of course, we’ve often argued about my tweets and public statements but we try to understand each other’s perspective. Also, our basic values are the same so we know we are on the same team ultimately.”
https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/swara-bhasker-id-like-to-stop-being-punished-for-my-political-opinions-exclusive