Motherhood does not arrive quietly. It changes routines, priorities and the way you see yourself. For Yami Gautam, that shift became real in 2024, when she welcomed her son Vedavid with husband Aditya
Dhar. Now, the actor is speaking in simple, honest terms about working after becoming a mother, the guilt that followed, and the advice that helped her steady herself. ‘Guilt is not just a word’ Talking to Humans of Bombay, Yami addressed something many working mothers struggle with but rarely say out loud. “Guilt is not just a word, it’s an emotion. It’s a very hard-to-ignore emotion,” she said, explaining how deeply it affected her after childbirth. At a crucial moment, it was her mother who stepped in with clarity. Recalling that conversation, Yami shared, “She told me, ‘Don’t feel that guilt. I’m here as your mother and I’ll always support you. If working makes you happy, you’ve worked all your life to reach here. You’re not being selfish.’” Her mother also reminded her that motherhood does not mean giving up on dreams. “That is life, that’s God’s way of rewarding you. Your child is a blessing from God,” Yami added. Shooting while pregnant Yami revealed that she was pregnant while filming Article 370, a phase that made her anxious. “I was expecting when I was shooting Article 370, so you can imagine how nervous I must have been,” she said. She explained that her mother encouraged her to continue working as long as she was medically fit, which helped her stay calm during that period. Returning to films after childbirth The actor also spoke about resuming work when her son was nine months old. She said this was possible only because her mother was by her side. “I could work because my mother was there. No matter how many helping hands you have, you need someone of your own, someone your heart trusts,” she said. Sharing a practical example from a demanding shoot, Yami recalled, “There was only one weekly off and one operational flight. After pack-up, I would take that flight, spend one day with my baby, and take the early morning flight back straight to the set.” She stressed that support systems matter, adding, “Whether you’re a working mother or a stay-at-home mom, respect to all mothers. There is no harm in asking for help. As a family, everyone must try to support the mother.” At the same time, she spoke about professional responsibility. “If you choose to work in an industry where the stakes are so high, you also need to do justice to that work. It’s your choice, and if you make it, you must give it your 100 percent,” she said.
