As Bollywood actress and former Miss Universe Lara Dutta commemorates her birthday this April 16, she reflects not on her illustrious career in films such as ‘Partner’, ‘Kaal’, ‘Andaaz’, ‘Bell Bottom’, and ‘Blue’, but on the transformative journey of motherhood that has given her a profound sense of purpose and clarity, both personally and professionally.
The ever-graceful Lara, married to tennis ace Mahesh Bhupathi since 2011 and mother to their daughter Saira, openly shares that no matter how much one frets over their potential parenting skills, nothing can quite prepare them for the actuality of motherhood. “You spend many sleepless nights even before the child is born, figuring out whether you’ll be a good mother, be able to live up to everything that’s expected. But no amount of worry is going to prepare you when the child is born,” Lara confided to PTI.
In a candid revelation about the roller coaster that is raising a child, Lara notes that parenting is an ongoing adventure, filled with unexpected turns. “Each child goes through its own phases as well. One point of time they are the best-behaved child and then they are the complete opposite,” she shared.
Lara’s journey has not only been one of embracing the unpredictable but also one of rediscovering her priorities, especially when it comes to her career. She attests to the deep sense of responsibility and the necessary balance between work commitments and family time. “When you have this little person in your life, your priorities change,” Lara said. It’s this transformation that has heightened her consciousness about the time she spends away from her family for work.
The wisdom of motherhood, as Lara posits, does not always come from conventional wisdom or acquired knowledge. Rather, it arises from the often overlooked daily interactions and behaviors parents model. She told IANS, “For me, there’s a lot that’s learned by trial and error. I genuinely believe that a child teaches you more than you will teach it.”
Lara further emphasized the importance of leading by example, upholding the philosophy that actions speak louder than words. “The best thing that you can actually teach or the best way that you can teach your child is by your own behavior and what you do. So no matter what textbooks you have, what great talks about the child (you have), at the end of the day, if you don’t practice what you preach, your child is never going to follow it.”
Her reflections on parenting corollate directly with her ambition and ardor as an actress. Lara is slated to grace the silver screen in upcoming projects such as ‘Welcome To The Jungle’, ‘Suryast’, and the much-anticipated ‘Ramayana’. These new roles not only mark her return to cinema but also highlight her continued pursuit of challenging herself creatively while juggling the demands of motherhood.
In embracing motherhood with open arms, Lara Dutta Bhupathi exemplifies the modern woman who navigates the waters of professional success and personal fulfillment with poise and determination. Her insights on parenting serve as an inspiration to many, encouraging a realistic, love-filled, and humble approach to one of life’s most rewarding journeys.
As she celebrates another year of life, Lara remains a beacon for mothers everywhere, demonstrating that while the path of motherhood may be unpredictable and demanding, it is also replete with lessons and love that can contribute immeasurably to personal growth and clarity. With inputs from agencies, we celebrate Lara Dutta—not only for her accomplishments on screen but also for her role as a nurturing, wise, and devoted mother.
