Anita Hassanandani has finally put the rumour mills to rest and confirmed the buzz — she is expecting her first baby with entrepreneur hubby, Rohit Reddy and their baby is due in February, next year. “We were waiting for the right time to announce our pregnancy,” she says, adding, “I think 2021 is going to be a year of babies (laugh!).”

Anita and Rohit, who got married in 2013 in Goa, started thinking of going the family way only after they participated in the reality show, Nach Baliye last year. She beams, “We had never felt the pressure to start a family from either of our families. However, after Nach Baliye, we felt that we were ready to embrace parenthood. With the lockdown, the timing seemed perfect. We got to spend a lot of time with each other and decided to go for it. At the end of the day, it’s God’s plan and Rohit and I can’t be more excited about it.”

The actress admits to having had her share of apprehensions about the pregnancy as she is in her late 30s. Anita shares, “The age-factor did play on my mind. Many people told me that it’s going to be tough, it overwhelms you. But once I conceived naturally, I realised that age is just a number. You need to be mentally and physically fit for everything to fall in place. Jo naseeb mein likha hota hai, woh toh hota hi hai. Today, Rohit and I feel well-settled — we are financially and mentally in a place where we are ready to have a child.”

Anita maintains that it is important for wouldbe parents to take care of their mental and physical health. She says, “I am someone who goes with the flow. Right now, the Coronavirus situation is serious, but the idea is not to take undue stress because if God has planned it for you in a certain way, he has definitely thought of everything. If you are at peace, sab smoothly ho jaata hai.”

Ask Anita, who is the fussy parent between her and Rohit, and pat comes the reply, “Rohit, any day. He is reading more books and fussing over my diet. He is, in general, more clued in. He is so excited and involved already, I think I am sorted as he will take care of everything.”

Will we see the mommy-to-be return to the spotlight soon after the baby arrives? “I have been working continuously since I was 16. So, initially, I was restless and sure about returning back to work soon after having the baby. But now that it has started to sink in, I can feel my priorities changing. I can’t believe I am telling you that at this stage, I really don’t care about work or when I will return. For now, I want to enjoy motherhood and make the most of it. The kicks and flutters in my belly, I just want to enjoy all of this and my time with my baby, without worrying about anything else. At the same time, I’ll do a little bit of work here and there. However, the priority right now is motherhood,” Anita signs off.

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On Saturday, Anita Hassanandani and husband Rohit Reddy shared the news that they are expecting. Since then, congratulations have been pouring in for the wouldbe parents. “I want to enjoy motherhood and focus on my family for a while as this time never returns,” shares Anita, confiding that they got the big news when Rohit’s father was hospitalised. “A few days later, he passed away. Now, Rohit, believes his father is returning as our child, so, if we have a son, we will name him Ravi after him.” The baby is due in February.

In July, the actress resumed shooting for Ekta Kapoor’s Naagin 4. At the time, she was aware of her pregnancy and is grateful to the producers for their consideration. “I gave some close-ups and worked for a little while to wrap up the remaining portions. The makers ensured they were solo shots and I didn’t have to interact with many people,” she informs.

Anita is determined to stay positive in the face of the ongoing pandemic. “God has planned things this way, he’ll take care of the rest. Everything will fall into place soon and Covid-19 will also go away,” she says fervently, insisting she’ll be a strict mother. “All my cousins call me mummy,” she reveals with a laugh.