After taking a year-and-a-half-long maternity break, actress Sonali Sehgal is making her comeback to the silver screen with her latest film, Aryabhatta Ka Zero, which has released in theatres today. The actress describes this new chapter in her life as both exciting and emotional, as she balances motherhood with her acting career.
A New Beginning After 18 Months Away From Films
Following the birth of her daughter, Sonali stepped away from full-fledged acting projects to focus on her family. Although she continued working occasionally from home, Aryabhatta Ka Zero marks her first major theatrical release since becoming a mother.
Speaking about her return, Sonali admitted that she feels a mix of excitement and nervousness.
""I hadn't been working extensively over the last one and a half years. Whatever I did was mostly from home. During the promotions of this film, my daughter and my mother stayed with me. I'm happy that I'm returning with a film I truly believe in."
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Motherhood Now Shapes Every Career Decision
Sonali revealed that motherhood has completely changed the way she selects projects. Every professional commitment now revolves around ensuring she can spend enough time with her daughter.
According to the actress, she carefully considers the duration of shoots, filming locations, and whether her daughter can accompany her before saying yes to a project.
She reflected on how different her priorities are today.
""When I first entered the industry and lived alone, I often accepted projects simply for financial reasons. Today, I want to work on projects that give me satisfaction rather than just a paycheck."
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Balancing Film Sets and Family Life
The actress also shared that she has established a daily routine with her daughter, including feeding her, putting her to sleep, and reading bedtime stories-moments she prefers to handle herself.
While she understands that filmmaking often requires long hours and unpredictable schedules, Sonali hopes producers become more supportive of working mothers.
She emphasized that although actors are committed to their work, production teams should also recognize the responsibilities mothers carry and make reasonable accommodations whenever possible.
No Fixed Rules, Only Practical Choices
Sonali admitted that not every project allows flexible schedules, especially when outdoor shoots or demanding productions are involved.
Instead of imposing strict working-hour conditions, she believes every project should be evaluated individually. Her focus is on finding practical solutions that allow her to fulfill both professional commitments and family responsibilities.
A Mathematics Lover Behind the Camera
Interestingly, despite choosing a career in entertainment, Sonali has always had a strong interest in academics—particularly mathematics.
She revealed that numbers have fascinated her since childhood, and that passion continues today as she is currently pursuing a course in numerology.
The actress also shared that she had successfully cleared the entrance examination for the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT). However, her career took a different direction when she received an opportunity to participate in the Miss India competition.
Her mother encouraged her to follow her dreams, a decision that ultimately led her into the entertainment industry.
Choosing Passion Over a Conventional Career
Originally from Kolkata, Sonali participated in several beauty pageants while continuing her studies. She recalled that one of her chemistry teachers questioned her decision to pursue pageantry instead of academics, believing she was an exceptionally bright student.
Despite those concerns, Sonali remained confident about the path she wanted to follow. Looking back, she believes trusting her instincts and receiving unwavering support from her mother played a crucial role in shaping her career.
'Aryabhatta Ka Zero' Marks a Meaningful Comeback
With Aryabhatta Ka Zero now in theatres, Sonali Sehgal begins a new phase of her career—one where motherhood and acting go hand in hand. As she embraces this balancing act, the actress hopes to continue choosing meaningful roles while remaining present in her daughter's life, proving that personal and professional aspirations can grow together.