Trolled, but unshaken

Known for always speaking her mind, actress Swara Bhasker is currently seen in Pati Patni Aur Panga with husband Fahad Ahmad. In this candid conversation, she opens up about being judged as a new mother, Bollywood's biases, facing trolling and her political voice. Excerpts:

- Ria Sharma

Q. Every time a working mother takes a bold step, society calls it "selfish." Have you faced that judgment after joining Pati Patni Aur Panga with Fahad Ahmad?

A. Women get judged for whatever choice they make. If they get back to work soon after giving birth, they are termed selfish or bad mothers. If they take a break, they are judged for being lazy or taking it too easy. I've been trolled and fat-shamed for putting on weight postpartum, for not losing it fast enough. for not 'bouncing back' right after delivery, for choosing to take a break and be with my baby. Nasty memes had my before and after pics, comparing my size and titling it "What did she eat?". It's cruel and initially it hurt because I was a new mom but now I am used to it. It's a sad reflection of how utterly foolish, petty and misogynistic our society is and the fact that women can never win no matter what they do. It's a toxic trait to make cruel judgements on anyone, especially new moms, and frankly it's nobody's business how people live their lives. I ignore it mostly; but sometimes I call out the trolls because I believe such rubbish discourse should be challenged.

Q. Actresses are often told that after becoming mothers, their "market value" in Bollywood drops. Do you think the industry is still biased against mothers?