DNA: Of materna lbonds - Sriti

Of maternal bonds

On Mother's Day, we take a look at young actresses who are essaying mothers on the small screen

Chaya Unnikrishnan

hile Bollywood divas may refrain from playing mothers onscreen — Madhuri Dixit Nene is said to have refused to play Sonam Kapoor's mom — their TV counterparts have no such aversions. In fact, what is unique is actresses in their early 20s or those still to experience motherhood in real life are convincingly playing moms. Kratika Sengar in Punarvivah is mother to four-year-old Ansh, Hina Khan has been a mother to kids of different age groups — from a baby to a six-year-old child in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Sakshi Tanwar has a five-year-old daughter in Bade Acche Laggte Hai, Sonarika Bhadoria who plays Parvati is mother to three kids including Ganapati in Devon Ke Dev Mahadev while Disha Vakani and her onscreen son Tapu in Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chasmah have journeyed together for five years on the show. Clearly, TV actresses have no qualms when it comes to donning the mantle of motherhood.

Sriti Jha
Age: 25 Show: Balika Vadhu
Playing mother to one-year-old Manu (Dhairya)

Initially Sriti found it difficult to deal with baby Dhairya. "He didn't know me, so I spent a lot of time with him. He likes nursery rhymes, so I would sing with him, and make him comfortable before shooting a scene," reveals the actress adding that shooting with a baby is a roller-coaster ride! No matter how well-prepared you are, on the sets you have to improvise because Dhairya is his own writer and director. He may just react to your dialogue and take you unawares!" admits Sriti. However, his real mom Bhavika Ashnani is all praises for Sriti. "Dhairya wouldn't go to her in the beginning. But I must say though Sriti is not a mother in real life she is extremely patient. She would play with him, make him laugh and adjust with his mood swings and get the scene shot!"