Balika Vadhu's Neha Marda on missing acting: “The love is alive, But..'

Television actress Neha Marda, best known for her role in Balika Vadhu, is now embracing a different phase of life — that of an entrepreneur and a hands-on mother. While fans still associate her strongly with television, Neha is today deeply involved in building her brand, Phitku, a venture inspired by her personal journey after motherhood. Though she continues to receive acting offers, her priorities currently lie with her family and business. In this candid chat, Neha speaks about her transition from acting to entrepreneurship, the story behind her brand, and whether she misses being on screen.

Q: Your journey from being an actor to now an entrepreneur — how difficult has it been?

Neha: This journey would’ve been impossible without my team, especially my brother Sumit. He’s a true mastermind, and having his support made everything feel achievable. I never planned on becoming an entrepreneur — this journey happened. Life brought me to a crossroads, and I believe God chose the direction for me. I’ve only known acting since I was 17, so stepping into this world has been a learning curve, but a beautiful one. At 35-plus, I’m enjoying learning something completely new every day. It’s challenging, exciting, and incredibly fulfilling. More than anything, it feels like this wasn’t something I chose — Phitku chose us.

Q: Who gave you the idea for your brand?

Neha: The idea came from a very personal experience. After 12 years of marriage, motherhood changed everything — especially my body. Post-pregnancy hormonal changes led to severe discomfort with body odour, a topic people rarely talk about. As a breastfeeding mother, I couldn’t use chemical products, and despite searching, I found no truly organic solution in the market. That phase affected my confidence deeply.When I shared this with my brother, he suggested we create a solution ourselves. That moment became the beginning of everything.

Q: Which role do you enjoy more — actor or entrepreneur?

Neha: Acting will always be my first love because it’s about playing a character. But entrepreneurship is pure reality — there’s no role to play. On screen, I step into a character; here, I have to be myself.

With Phitku, there’s nothing scripted. It’s honest, real, and driven by lived experience. I’m not selling numbers — I’m creating awareness and helping people regain confidence. I’ll always be an actor, but being an entrepreneur today defines who I am because it allows me to create real impact.

Q: How difficult is it to stay away from the industry you love so much?

Neha: I love acting and I do miss the industry, but right now my life is full. I’m a mother, I’m running Phitku, and I’m managing my home — these two alone take more than 100% of my time. I do get offers, even for lead roles, and visibility is important for amplifying my voice. But Phitku is still a new baby, just like my child, and it needs my complete attention. For now, there’s simply no time — but the love for acting is very much alive.

Q: Mother, actor, or entrepreneur — which one?

Neha: That’s an impossible choice — like asking a parent to choose between two children. Anaya is my real baby, and Phitku is my other baby. I love them both equally and honestly don’t want to choose. They’re both equally close to my heart.