Upasana Kamineni Konidela, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and wife of actor Ram Charan, has ignited a widespread debate after suggesting that women consider freezing their eggs to postpone motherhood and focus on their careers. During a visit to IIT Hyderabad, she told students that egg freezing serves as “the biggest insurance for women,” allowing them to decide when to marry and have children on their own terms.

Sharing the session on her social media, Upasana noted that when she asked students who wanted to get married, more men raised their hands than women, observing that young women appeared more career-oriented.

“The biggest insurance for women is to freeze their eggs. Because then you can choose when to get married, when you want to have kids, on your own terms, when you are financially independent,” Upasana Konidela said in a video she shared on her X handle. “The women seemed far more career-focused. This is the new—Progressive India,” she posted on X.

Medical Experts Warn of Biological Limitations

While her comments received praise from some for promoting empowerment, many doctors raised concerns about the biological realities of delayed motherhood. Obstetrician Dr. Rajesh Parikh highlighted the high costs of egg freezing and IVF, pointing out that fertility peaks in a woman’s twenties and declines sharply after 35. He cautioned that freezing eggs is no guarantee of a successful pregnancy and termed it “a gamble with modest success rates.”

“It’s very easy to give advice on egg freezing when you have crores in the bank. IVF costs lakhs per cycle. Egg freezing costs lakhs upfront plus annual storage charges. Most young women listening to you can’t afford even one attempt,” said Rajesh Parikh, whose X profile says he’s been practising as an obstetrician and gynaecologist for three decades. “Fertility peaks in your twenties, declines in your thirties, and drops sharply after 35. Freezing eggs isn’t a guarantee. It’s a gamble with modest success rates,” said Parikh.

Similarly, Dr. Sunita Sayammagaru emphasized that frozen eggs may not translate into a viable embryo or successful pregnancy. She added that as women age, several health factors can impede embryo implantation and a healthy pregnancy, underscoring that egg freezing should not be seen as a foolproof safety net.

“Even if a woman freezes her eggs, there is no guarantee that this would translate into a successful embryo transfer and successful pregnancy,” she said, adding, “As a woman grows old, there are many health factors which would prevent a successful embryo transfer and implantation.”

Celebrity Privilege Sparks Criticism

Social media reactions to Upasana’s advice were polarized. Critics argued that her privileged background, along with her ties to Apollo Hospitals, could make her perspective unrealistic for most women. Many accused her of indirectly promoting fertility services, suggesting that advice about delaying motherhood while highlighting financial independence aligns with business interests.

“She is basically selling the Apollo IVF egg freezing business, by creating a use case of linking financial independence to kids… A career is important, but you don’t need to delay anything. We need to adapt to situations, not delay situations,” said a person on X.

Supporters Defend Personal Choice

Despite criticism, a significant section of people defended Upasana’s stance. Supporters highlighted the importance of women gaining control over their life timelines, both in careers and family planning. They noted that Upasana herself faced years of societal pressure regarding marriage and motherhood, having married Ram Charan in 2012 and welcoming their first daughter in 2023, when she was 34.

Her advocacy, they argue, reinforces that women should not feel compelled to follow traditional timelines for marriage and childbirth, and that financial independence is a key factor in enabling informed decisions about family planning.

Who is Upasana Konidela?

Upasana Konidela is the granddaughter of Apollo Hospitals founder Dr. Prathap C Reddy. She holds multiple leadership positions, including Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals’ CSR wing, Managing Director of Family Health Plan Insurance TPA Limited, Vice Chairperson of Apollo Life, and Editor-in-Chief of B Positive Magazine. She also founded URLife, a wellness platform promoting holistic health.

With a forthcoming inheritance reportedly worth ₹77,000 crore, Upasana is part of one of India’s most influential healthcare empires. Her public statements, blending personal experience and career advice, continue to spark debate over the intersection of privilege, empowerment, and reproductive health.

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