Swara Bhasker has made a notable return to reality television with her participation in the second season of ‘Rise & Fall’. This decision has reportedly surprised her family and friends, who were not entirely supportive of her choice. Bhasker, however, has reflected on her previous experience in the reality show Pati Patni Aur Panga, where she appeared alongside her husband, Fahad Ahmad. She noted that this experience provided her with valuable insights into her public persona.

In an exclusive interview with India Today, Bhasker explained that her decision to join ‘Rise & Fall’ involved negotiating her time away from her three-year-old daughter. She expressed that reality television has become a practical solution for balancing her professional commitments with motherhood. She believes that participating in one reality show each year allows her to maintain a connection with her family while engaging in her career.

Bhasker acknowledged that her previous reality show experience was unexpectedly positive. She stated that it offered a glimpse into a less political side of her personality, which she felt was often overshadowed by her political engagements. This new perspective has encouraged her to embrace the reality television format as a means of connecting with audiences while still prioritising her role as a mother.

Challenges of Balancing Work and Motherhood

Swara Bhasker has consciously chosen to slow down her professional pursuits since becoming a mother. She articulated that scripted fiction demands significant mental energy, which she finds challenging to manage while caring for her young child. The actor described fiction as an intensive process that requires extensive preparation and immersion into character, which is difficult to achieve in her current circumstances.

In contrast, she views reality television as a more flexible option that allows her to remain active in her career without sacrificing time with her daughter. Bhasker remarked that participating in reality shows provides her with a platform to engage with audiences while still being present in her child’s life. She expressed that this approach enables her to navigate the complexities of motherhood and career effectively.

Interestingly, Bhasker had not initially watched ‘Rise & Fall’ before agreeing to join the cast. She had been approached for the show the previous year and was familiar with some contestants from the first season. For her, this opportunity presents a unique challenge to explore how much control she can exert over her narrative in an unscripted format.

Postpartum Trolling and Body-Shaming

In her discussion, Swara Bhasker also addressed the issue of postpartum trolling, which she described as a troubling aspect of contemporary discourse. She referred to body-shaming directed at new mothers as “the lowest IQ form of discourse,” expressing her dismay at the behaviour of those who engage in such criticism. Bhasker emphasised that targeting women, particularly mothers, reflects a lack of empathy and understanding.

Bhasker articulated her belief that societal standards of beauty and thinness should not be equated with personal achievement. She stated that the focus should be on being a good and healthy person rather than conforming to conventional beauty ideals. This perspective challenges the norms prevalent in the entertainment industry, which often prioritises appearance over character.

Drawing from her own experiences of motherhood, Bhasker highlighted the profound physical and emotional changes that accompany childbirth. She referenced the scrutiny faced by other mothers in the public eye, such as Katrina Kaif and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and called for greater understanding of the challenges women encounter during this transformative period.

She firmly believes that such negative commentary should be condemned and that individuals engaging in it should be held accountable. In a direct message to men who comment on women’s bodies, Bhasker insisted that they should refrain from such behaviour. She urged them to respect women’s autonomy and to avoid contributing to the pressures faced by mothers and women in general.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store – https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share