Deccan Chronicle

‘Motherhood is the most beautiful thing’

Actress Hari Teja is thrilled with her pregnancy

- SASHIDHAR ADIVI

Hari Teja, who enthralled audiences by her performanc­e in films and won hearts through her participat­ion in Bigg Boss Season 1, is on Cloud 9 — she is to become a mother shortly!

“I am in my third trimester, and the due date is April 1,” she beams.

“When I heard the news that I would soon be a mom, it was a surreal feeling, and I couldn’t find words to express myself. My husband (Deepak, who works for a pharmaceut­ical company) held and hugged me,” recalls Hari Teja.

“The thought of someone growing inside me is unbelievab­le. I never thought I would take up such a big responsibi­lity so soon,” she shares.

Describing motherhood as ‘the most beautiful thing,” the actress says she now loves her mother even more than she did before. “I realised what efforts she made, what she endured, the sacrifices she made for me. My respect for mothers and women has gone up,” she says.

She feels impending motherhood has changed her perspectiv­e of life. “I am being more cautious and sensitive because of my kid. I am also being more empathetic towards things. I guess the beauty of a woman lies in motherhood,” says the Prati Roju Pandage actress.

Asked about her plans for the future, Hari Teja says, “I want to keep things simple and not get carried away. I just want to take life as it comes and be very sensible. I am not interested in the rat race or peer pressure. I just want to embrace motherhood and its beautiful moments.”

Talking about her idea of marriage, the actress says, “It’s a great responsibi­lity and it’s something that has to be embraced with love. The feeling of having someone forever is so beautiful. I have never imagined having a fairy-tale life. I am someone who lives in reality. So I have had my share of difficulti­es, but it’s great to get a supportive and empathetic partner like (Deepak).” Dismissing as a myth the idea that marriage hampers an actress’ career prospects, Hari Teja says in fact, marriage brought her fame. “Marriage is my lucky charm,” she says, adding, “I got major career breaks, appreciati­on for my performanc­es and Bigg Boss too after my marriage. And the best part is that Deepak and my in-laws were always there beside me encouragin­g.”

Admitting that balancing films and personal life has been challengin­g, Hari Teja says that emotional support is the key to career progress. “We lead a stressful life, and when we get back home, we need someone to take care of us and be compassion­ate. So family support is the key and I am thankful for having Deepak. We share responsibi­lities (cooking, chores, etc.) He is a Kannadiga from Bengaluru but shifted to Hyderabad for my career. And we never let ego and emotions get the better of us and always stay away from negativity and peer pressure,” she says, pointing out that all these things made her life post marriage comfortabl­e.

Giving us the back-story on how her marriage happened, she says, “When the alliance first came, the two families discussed it. However, for some reason, neither family proceeded with it. But then, the two of us connected and fell in love.” The couple then informed their respective parents, who were surprised that the two of them had continued seeing each other even though the families had dropped the proposal.

Hari Teja is emphatic about continuing her career. “I shall act as long as I can entertain the audience,” she says.

‘THERE ARE MANY MOVIES MADE ON SOLDIERS, BUT NONE HAVE FOCUSED ON THEIR

FAMILIES. THROUGH THIS FILM WE HOPE TO SENSITIZE THE PUBLIC ON THE

SACRIFICES THAT

SOLDIERS’ FAMILIES

MAKE, AND THE RESPECT THAT THEY DESERVE.’

Sharman Joshi, who made an impact as Raju Rastogi in 3 Idiots, made his digital debut with Baarish, a Balaji Telefilms production, in 2019, and his Fauzi Calling is releasing on March 12.

Excerpts from an interview:

What is Fauzi Calling

It’s a lively, heart-warming film about the hope that fills a soldier’s family. There are many movies made on soldiers, but none of them focuses on their families. When a soldier leaves home, his family has to be braver than he is himself. We owe our safety and security to the soldiers and to their families. Through this film we hope to sensitise the public on the sacrifices that soldiers’ families make, and the respect that they deserve.

all about?

Are you and the team relieved that the film is releasing in theatres?

Yes. It’s a film made for the theatre, and I’m happy it’s not releasing on OTT. When people go to watch movies in theatres, apart from the superior sound and projection effects, it’s also a time when they can focus on the movie, undisturbe­d. That’s an experience that audiences are missing out on when they watch movies from their homes.

You recently lost your father. How did you deal with the stress in real life?

My father had lived his life. I would say he was successful both on the home front and in his career. He gave us a lot of love and taught us values. I hope and pray I can be the kind of father to my kids as he was to me.

Tell us about your upcoming films.

We are working on Aankh Micholi which is being produced by Umesh Shukla. It’s an out-and-out comedy for theatre release. Working with Divya Dutta in this film was wonderful. Pent House directed by Abbas Mustan is a Netflix comedythri­ller. Then there is an Arjun Rampal film, and a few other movies.

Your performanc­e in 3 Idiots is still fresh in our memory. When will you be working with Aamir Khan’s production house again? And who are the other directors you want to work with?

I would be more than happy to be given an opportunit­y to work with Aamir Khan again. I also want to work with Director RajKumar Hirani again. I’m open to working with new directors, because they are making interestin­g movies.

 ??  ?? Hari Teja
When I heard the news that I would soon be a mom, it was a surreal feeling, and I couldn’t find words to express myself. My husband (Deepak) held and hugged me. The thought of someone growing inside me is unbelievab­le. I never thought I would take up such a big responsibi­lity so soon
Hari Teja When I heard the news that I would soon be a mom, it was a surreal feeling, and I couldn’t find words to express myself. My husband (Deepak) held and hugged me. The thought of someone growing inside me is unbelievab­le. I never thought I would take up such a big responsibi­lity so soon
 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from India