Shriya Saran Recalls Emotional Pregnancy Journey and Co-Stars' Fatherhood Struggles
In a candid conversation, actress Shriya Saran has opened up about her deeply emotional pregnancy experience, shedding light on the often-overlooked challenges faced by both women and men during this transformative phase. The actress, currently starring in the series Space Gen Chandrayaan, shared intimate details about her own journey and revealed how her co-stars Nakuul Mehta and Danish Sait grappled with the demands of impending fatherhood while balancing their professional commitments.
The Emotional and Physical Transformations of Pregnancy
Speaking with News 18, Shriya Saran described pregnancy as a profoundly overwhelming period marked by significant emotional and physical changes. She recounted experiencing perinatal depression, a condition that affects many women during and after pregnancy, and emphasized the intense transformation that occurs as a woman's body adapts to nurturing new life.
"When a wife gets pregnant, there's a lot that happens in her body. You're creating another child and it's the most beautiful experience. But you're changing emotionally and physically and your organs are getting compressed. You've this crazy outburst of emotions sometimes. You don't even know what's going on with your body," Shriya explained. She humorously added, "Just to walk around with a child in your body… your body looks like somebody else's. Eventually, you become a cow."
The Need for Partner Support and Men's Unpreparedness
Shriya highlighted the crucial role of emotional support from partners during pregnancy, while also acknowledging that men are often unprepared for the dramatic shifts their partners undergo. She shared personal moments of vulnerability, revealing that she sometimes felt low and said things she didn't mean, experiencing intense needs for her partner's presence.
"All through this time, a man is supposed to be there and take care of you. There's also a lot they aren't prepared for. When I was pregnant, I used to sometimes feel so low and say things that I didn't mean. There are times when you feel so needy that you want your man to be around. And then you also need to be at work," she said, pointing to the dual pressures many women face.
Nakuul Mehta and Danish Sait's Fatherhood Challenges
Shriya Saran also provided insights into the experiences of her Space Gen Chandrayaan co-stars, Nakuul Mehta and Danish Sait, who were on the brink of fatherhood during the series' filming. She described how work responsibilities often clashed with their home lives, leading to moments of guilt and confusion.
"Danish was shooting and he may've missed a lot of appointments. I'm sure he felt that guilt somewhere. During the shoot, Nakuul's wife was also expecting a second time. Imagine what it was for Jankee! She was already taking care of one child and was pregnant with another. There was a lot going on for her with Nakuul at work," Shriya shared.
She particularly noted Nakuul Mehta's struggles, saying, "He was very lost. He's a very giving performer. I'm sure that at home also, he was thinking about work. He missed an appointment or two." This revelation underscores the emotional toll that pregnancy can take on men, an aspect Shriya believes is frequently ignored.
Acknowledging Men's Emotional Journey
Shriya Saran emphasized that pregnancy is emotionally demanding for men as well, as they witness their partners undergo profound changes. She called for greater recognition of men's experiences, noting that they too navigate a complex emotional landscape during this period.
"It's also hard for a man because he sees his woman go through so much of change and become another person. And once she becomes a mother, she's a totally different human being. There's not much credit given to a man. There's a lot that he too goes through," the Drishyam actor stated, advocating for a more balanced understanding of parenthood's challenges.
Personal and Co-Stars' Family Updates
Shriya Saran is married to Andrei Koscheev, and the couple are parents to a daughter named Radha. Her co-stars have also expanded their families recently: Danish Sait and his wife Anya welcomed a baby boy last year, while Nakuul Mehta and Jankee Parekh became parents for the second time in August last year. These personal milestones add context to the shared experiences discussed by Shriya, highlighting the universal aspects of pregnancy and parenthood in the entertainment industry.
