Sheeba Chaddha says, 'I don’t think people should have kids now, we live in a fascist world…'

Sheeba Chaddha, a seasoned actress known for her roles in films like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Badhaai Do, recently opened up about the thoughts on parenting in today's world, expressing deep concern over the challenges faced by people in current times. She described the world as "fascist" and emphasized the difficulties of raising children in such an environment.

During a recent interview with Siddharth Kannan, Sheeba discussed the emotional and practical challenges of raising children in today's world, stating, “I don’t think people should have kids now. We live in a fascist world. It is very hard. Look at the times we are living in—it’s such a tumultuous and difficult time. Just maintaining the basics is difficult.”

Sheeba, also a mother, further discussed the demands of single parenthood. “You just need to be present more. You have to give much more. You cannot be the father, but you have to give so much—and you don’t have that much reserve. It is hard. It takes a lot more people to raise a child. But the family system has really shrunk," Sheeba said.

She highlighted how modern nuclear family structures often limit shared responsibilities, emphasizing the increased isolation parents can experience. She also disclosed that she has declined several work opportunities to prioritize her daughter's needs.

Sheeba Chaddha, also discussed her post-divorce relationships and the qualities she seeks in a partner. She shared the reason behind the breakup of her relationship after her marriage and also talked about her thoughts on using a dating app.

When asked about her relationship, Sheeba told, "I was in a relationship for almost seven years. After that, I knew I couldn't be in a relationship until my daughter leaves for college. I've pretty much closed myself off to that. Several single men and women are on dating apps, but I don't even know what a dating app looks like."

Upon being asked if she got tempted to be on a dating app, Sheeba said, "No, because then you'd have to go on a date and listen to all the chatter. I'm really uninterested in that."

When questioned if her relationship broke because of her daughter, she said, "No, that person was bringing nothing to the table and I tried too much because the kind of woman who loves too much."

Sheeba Chadha is looking for a meaningful connection and she prioritizes understanding, stability, and a shared world view, suggesting that she seeks a deep and lasting relationship built on mutual trust, respect, and compatibility.

Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam actress Sheeba Chaddha, also shared an account of several incidents during the film's production, including one where a lightman was injured due to his behavior. She said, “I remember he tripped and fell, and he just stormed out of the sets. Unhone darwaza aise pheka (he slammed the door so hard), and there was an old lightman behind the door who got slightly hurt."

As Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam was Sheeba's debut film, she was taken aback by Salman's temperamental behavior. Recalling her surprise, she said, “I was like, baap re, aisa hota hai kya with stars (Oh, my god, does this happen while working with stars)?"

Sheeba’s professional life

Sheeba Chaddha is set to portray Manthara in Nitesh Tiwari's upcoming epic Ramayana, which will be released in two parts: Part 1 on Diwali 2026 and Part 2 in 2027. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram and Sai Pallavi as goddess Sita.

Sheeba Chaddha also stars in the comedy-drama web series Bakaiti, which premiered on ZEE5 on August 1st. Directed by Ameet Guptha, the series offers a slice-of-life look at a middle-class family in Ghaziabad, with Sheeba playing a significant role in the show's heartwarming and humorous story.