Lifestyle/Health
www.indiaweekly.biz • October 2025
21
Bollywood mothers prove
it’s never too late for joy
NEW WAVE OF ACTORS EMBRACE LATE MOTHERHOOD WITH CONFIDENCE AND CARE
PREGNANCY in one’s late 30s and early 40s is
increasingly being celebrated, not ques
tioned. The narrative around the “right time”
for motherhood is shifting—thanks to Bolly
wood icons like Katrina Kaif, Kiara Advani,
Parineeti Chopra, Deepika Padukone, and Ka
reena Kapoor, who are redefining what it
means to become a mother on one’s own
terms. Their stories, backed by medical ex
perts and advocates, highlight how this jour
ney can be both empowering and fulfilling.
When Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal an
nounced their pregnancy, social media erupted in
joy. “On our way to start the best chapter of our
lives with hearts full of joy and gratitude,” Katrina
wrote, radiating calm and contentment at 42. Dr.
Swapna Kollikonda, a pregnancy expert, affirms,
“Pregnancy at any age, with proper medical care,
can be a joyous and healthy experience. It’s im
portant to trust your body and the process.”
For Deepika Padukone, who welcomed daugh
ter Dua at 37, pregnancy wasn’t without challeng
es. “I went through a lot in the eight, nine months
of being pregnant,” she admitted, crediting Ran
veer Singh’s unwavering emotional support. His
gentle reminder—“It’s your body... So whenever
you feel ready”—underscored how empathy and
understanding can ease the journey. Maternal
health advocate Rupa Marya adds that emotional
care during late pregnancies can “significantly im
prove outcomes for both mother and baby.”
Kiara Advani, who’s glowing through her first
pregnancy, embodies serenity. Her social media
posts—featuring cherries, Rumi quotes, and soft
sunlight—showcase the peaceful side of expect
ing, while Parineeti Chopra’s joyful cravings for
soup and cheese celebrate motherhood’s simple
pleasures. These glimpses remind women to sa
vour every phase, however late it comes.
No one has challenged stereotypes as boldly as
Kareena Kapoor Khan. After welcoming her sec
ond child Jeh at 40, she declared, “I’m pregnant,
not a corpse. Stop making it a national casualty.”
Her statement redefined pregnancy as a time of
power, not pause. Similarly, filmmaker Farah
Khan’s IVF journey at 43, resulting in healthy tri
plets, symbolizes how science and self-belief to
gether make late motherhood entirely possible.
Doctors today highlight that advances in fertili
ty treatments, prenatal screenings, and maternal
healthcare make it safer than ever for women to
conceive later in life. With regular checkups and
balanced lifestyles, experts affirm that late preg
nancies can be as healthy as early ones.
Beyond physical wellness, the emotional depth
of motherhood also grows richer with age. Pod
caster and childbirth educator Heather Huhman
explains, “Pregnancy is not just about physical
changes; it brings emotional growth. Many wom
en find this stage incredibly fulfilling after years
of personal and professional maturity.” Deepika
echoed similar feelings, sharing how motherhood
redefined her priorities, even amid moments of
mom guilt.
From Sonam Kapoor’s graceful embrace of
motherhood at 36 to Madhuri Dixit and Shilpa
Shetty’s inspiring examples post-35, Bollywood’s
leading ladies are opening the conversation
around choice, health, and timing. Their open
ness is normalizing late motherhood, showing
that fulfillment knows no deadline.
Pregnancy in the late 30s and 40s is now seen
not as delayed but as deliberate—a choice rooted
in strength, awareness, and evolving social atti
tudes. Bollywood’s powerful mothers, backed by
medical science and self-love, are rewriting the
script on what it means to be a woman, a mother,
and above all, in control of one’s own timeline.
OCTOBER marks Breast Cancer Aware
ness Month, a time dedicated to spread
ing knowledge and encouraging early
detection for one of the most common
diseases affecting women in the US.
In 2025 alone, an estimated 316,950
new cases of invasive breast cancer and
59,080 cases of non-invasive ductal car
cinoma in situ (DCIS) are expected to be
diagnosed. With 1 in 8 women (about 13
per cent) projected to develop breast
cancer during their lifetime, this month
serves as an important reminder of the
need for vigilance, awareness, and pre
ventive care.
Despite medical advancements lead
ing to a 99 per cent five-year survival rate
for localized cases, the disease is expect
ed to claim 42,170 women’s lives this year.
With more than 4 million survivors cur
rently living in the US, the focus on pre
vention, early detection, and overall well-
being has never been more important.
Alongside conventional screening
and treatment, Ayurveda and yoga offer
holistic ways to strengthen the body and
reduce cancer risk. Rooted in ancient
Indian wisdom, Ayurveda focuses on
balancing the body’s internal energies,
known as doshas, and improving diges
tion and detoxification.
This process helps remove harmful
toxins that can contribute to disease.
Herbs such as turmeric (curcumin),
Ashwagandha, and Guduchi have been
scientifically recognized for their anti-
inflammatory, antioxidant, and im
mune-boosting properties.
According to Dr Vasant Lad, a lead
ing Ayurvedic physician, “Strengthening
the immune system and cleansing the
body through Ayurvedic practices sup
ports the body’s natural ability to pre
vent disease, including cancer.”
Similarly, yoga plays a vital role in re
ducing stress, a major risk factor linked to
hormonal imbalance and inflammation.
Regular yoga practice is known to lower
cortisol levels, improve lymphatic flow,
and enhance blood circulation, helping
the body eliminate toxins naturally.
Dr Deepak Chopra notes, “Yoga is a
powerful tool to cultivate mindfulness
and reduce inflammation, both key ele
ments in cancer prevention.” A study
published in the Journal of Clinical On
cology further supports that yoga can en
hance quality of life and reduce inflam
mation among breast cancer survivors.
Experts believe that integrating these
ancient practices with modern medicine
empowers women to take proactive
control of their health. Dr Anjali Muker
jee, an integrative medicine expert, says,
“Combining Ayurveda and yoga with
conventional screening can empower
women to take proactive control of their
breast health.”
Oncologist Dr Sanjay Gupta adds
that mindful lifestyle choices—like bal
anced nutrition, stress management,
and physical activity—are as crucial as
genetics in preventing cancer.
In essence, while early detection and
medical treatment remain essential,
Ayurvedic detox routines, mindful yoga,
and balanced living can complement
medical care, fostering resilience and
promoting overall wellness in the ongo
ing fight against breast cancer.
Ancient Indian practices complement modern medicine in cancer care
EVOLVING CHOICES:
Kiara Advani and
Deepika Padukone
(right) represent the
confidence of today’s
Bollywood mothers