Motherhood is the most fulfilling and meaningful experiences known to mankind. The relationship between a mother and a child is one of the most beautiful and sacred relationships that exists in the world. It’s absolutely remarkable to see the strength and love that both a mother and child shares. The most miraculous and wonderful part of motherhood is the bond shared by the two and the unconditional love given to the child. We all appreciate the strength that a mother’s love has given us to overcome the struggles of life. The phase of motherhood makes every mother feel special. A mother is a wise sage, a role model, a secret sharer, a secret keeper, a cheerleader, all rolled into one! Thus she plays an optimum role in transforming our lives.

Motherhood has always been a cherished dream of every woman and Bollywood actresses are no different. For them, like any other mother this experience is a life changing experience both physically and mentally. Now, instead of facing the silver screen, they have to channel their talents in a completely different and new direction. Gone are the days of the three magical words “LIGHTS, CAMERA & ACTION” and the long grueling hectic schedules. The new words they make themselves comfortable with are usually nappies, feeding bottles and late night wakeup calls. However, the transformation of an actress becoming a mother is always a heartfelt feeling as it has a prolonged effect on both on their body and souls.

Like any other mother, they too enjoy this practicality to the fullest. Though they are worried about the compromises in their career and relationships, the beauty and the sheer bliss of this phase of motherhood prepare themselves to carry on this responsibility with lots of positive energy, consideration and devotion. They are not worried at the least for the after effects on their motherhood that can have an ill effect for their careers in future.

Here are a few examples of Bollywood’s well known actresses who are enjoying their recent phase of motherhood:

1. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: The 38 year old former beauty queen said, “Being a mother is simply beautiful and a pure bliss. As a mom, I love the role and I am not thinking of returning to work as yet!” She is married to Abhishek Bachchan who also is a well known actor of tinsel town. According to Abhishek, playing the role of a father is not difficult but feels guilty as most of the hard work is done by Ash.

2. Kajol: This actress is a well known celebrity and needs no introduction. Kajol and her hubby Ajay Devgn, who is also a superstar in Bollywood, are proud parents of two children, one girl named Nyssa and a baby boy, Yug. Kajol is ecstatic and spending most of her time with the children while her husband is involved in completing his film projects.

3. Karisma Kapoor: Sanjay Kapoor is a Delhi based businessman and the lucky husband of the versatile actress Karisma. They have a fine year old daughter, named Samiara and a two year old son, named Kiaan. Although, their relation are on the rocks, as reports put it.

4. Nandita Das: The actress well known for her controversial roles in films like ‘Fire’ is happily married to Subodh Maskara and is a proud mother of a baby boy which was delivered this year and was the focal point of celebration.

5. Sonali Bendre: This svelte actress, who starred in many interesting Hindi and other regional films, got married to Goldie Behl (a film producer and director) in 2002, and took a break from acting. After three years of marriage, she was blessed with a son named Ranveer. Till now she is fully enjoying motherhood and says, “Until Ranveer was born; I was working in Hindi and South Films. But once I had my baby, my learning curve changed and I was well blended into household chores working as a full time wife and mother.”

6. Madhuri Dixit: One of the most famous and prominent actress of last decade with most Filmfare nominations award ever, tied the knot with Los Angeles based doctor Shriram Madhav Nene in Oct1999. Soon after, she gave birth to two sons Arin Nene on March 2003 and Rayaan Nene on March 2005. Awarded the “Actresss of the Millennium” in 2000, she reveals, “My sons have changed my personality and I am more gregarious and always on my toes. Guess this is what happens when you have to go through these experiences which I suppose makes you more mature and fun loving!”

7. Sushmita Sen: Sen is one of the most beautiful actress and the first Indian women to hold the title of Miss Universe (1994). Apart from the many awards bestowed on her from time to time, the greatest achievement for her was her firm decision and love for kids which led her to adopt her first girl child Rene, when she was just 18 year old. The former beauty queen is one of the celebrity adoptive parent. Her obsession for kids was irresistible and therefore she decided to adopt another girl child in year 2010 and named her Alisha. A source said, “This Bengali beauty is very contended with both her kids and they accompany her at all major events. She has set an example to all Indian women of becoming a single parent through adoption!”

8. Shilpa Shetty: Another well known actress who got married to British born businessman Raj Kundra in year 2009, recently gave birth to a baby boy in 2012 named him as Viaan Raj Kundra. According to her, “I am thrilled and being ecstatic is an understatement. Being a mother is a full time job and makes you extremely busy. Right now my son had deprived me of sleep and am very tired, but just a look at this bundle of joy gets me energetic once again so no complains!”

9. Sridevi: She is the unchallenged superstar diva of the 90s and a skilled performer. Sridevi got married to film-director Boney Kapoor in 1996. Though her marriage was termed unfair and many of her fans were dismayed, Sridevi maintained a stoic, dignified silence and simply retreated from the lime light to bask in the joys of family life. She has been blessed by two daughters named Jhanvi and Kushi who are quite grown up now and are into classical dancing.”I share a great relationship with both my daughters and my husband; they are my pillars of strength! Jhanvi and Kushi are my life; I have adopted a balance approach in bringing them up. I am neither too strict nor pamper them too much. My husband says that I am the best mother in the world ever,” says the proud actress.

10. Malaika Arora Khan: The gorgeous model cum anchor cum female actor, Malaika, well known for her item songs “Chaiya Chaiya”, “Munni Badnam”, has been married to Arbaaz Khan for 10 years. She is considered to be very attentive and affectionate person, regarding her motherhood. She is a mother of five year old, Arhaan and holds him responsible for whatever she is today. She quotes, “Arhaan is the best thing that happened to me. It’s the greatest joy to have a child and for every mother her child is her weakness and yes Arhaan is my weakness!”

11. Twinkle Khanna: This talented actress who is the wife of most popular versatile actor of Bollywood, Akshay Kumar and an interior designer as a professional, is a proud mother of ten year old son Aarav Bhatia and is soon expecting her second child. The expected mother adds,” Aarav is quite a computer savvy and also accompanies his dad and does light workout with him whenever possible. Even Akshay tries to take out time from his busy schedules to be with him.”

12. Konkana Sen Sharma: This superbly talented actress who has brilliantly acted in memorable films like “Page 3”, “Wake Up Sid”, ”Mr & Mrs. Iyyer” and more, has been acknowledged both by her critics and audience. She has taken a break from her acting profession and got married to another talented actor Ranvir Shorey, in the year 2010. According to the sources, Konkana has given birth to her first child Haroon on March 2011 at a South Mumbai hospital. She seems to be very contended and happy. Right now she is busy attending to her bundle of joy and plans to return to tinsel town soon.

13. Lara Dutta: Lara is a beautiful actress of Bollywood and former Miss Universe 2000. She has acted in many moderately successful films and her box office hits includes “Bhagam Bhag”, “Masti”, “No Entry” and others. In February 2011 she got married to ace tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi in a quiet civil ceremony in Bandra. Recently in august 2011, she became a proud mother of a baby girl whom the parents have named as Saira. She was seen visibly tired while returning home but had an unexplainable glow on her face. She told media, “I am looking at films and scripts, but not going back for couple of months till I am sure that my baby is secure and in good hands”. When asked about her baby she says, “Saira is a very active baby and needs lot of attention. My work is important to me but right now my full attention is towards my little daughter. I’m sure with parents like Mahesh and me, even she would turn out to be athletic!”

14. Raveena Tandon: Raveena is an Indian actress, producer and a former model. She got high critical acclaim for her films like “Aks” and “Satta” and also was awarded National Film Award for Best Actress for her performance in “Daman”. Her obsession for being a mother was proved when she adopted two girls, Pooja and Chaya in year 1995 when they were 11 and 8 years old, while still single. Till then she had played her role of single mother to perfection. Soon after, she got married to Anil Thandani in the year 2004 in Udaipur and became real mother of her own two biological children, a daughter named Rasha in 2005 and a son named Ranbir in 2007. According to her, “My kids are very bright and talented, that’s what the teachers say in school. Also I want to help my daughter Rasha in her homework and accompany my son to his swimming classes. Both of them are at their best when spending time out.”

15. Juhi Chawla: After being crowned Miss India in 1984, Juhi pursued her career in films and was very successful. She got married to industrialist Jai Mehta and is a proud mother of two lovely children, daughter Jhanvi born in 2001 and son Arjun born in 2003. She prefers to keep away her family life from media and she wants her children to concentrate on their studies rather attending events or shoots. She says, “I am from a much grounded family background and always lead a very simple and regular life. I want to give the same space to both of my children and therefore avoid catching any media attention.”

- Jyotika