Shweta Kawaatra, who is best known for her portrayal of Pallavi Agarwal in the TV show Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, was last seen in the Akshay Kumar-starrer Ram Setu (2022). Before that, the actor did the fantasy show, Baal Veer, seven years ago. Ask Kawaatra about the long gap and the actor links it to postpartum depression that lasted for over five years.

“I was not just low, I had brain fog. I had panic attacks. I would be angry for no reason. I used to feel helpless and suicidal. It was a hopeless situation,” says the actor, who welcomed her daughter, Zahara Tabeetha, with her husband, actor Manav Gohil, in May 2012.

She continues, “I did Baal Veer because I had lost all confidence. In depression, you want to isolate yourself. You feel very conscious of yourself and underconfident. The makers were kind enough to support my timings. I did the show only to get my confidence back.”

Now that she’s better, ask which medium between TV and films interests her more, and the actor says she’s fine with either as long as it doesn’t get overwhelming: “It took me five years to breathe easy. My daughter is 10 now. So, I want to take care of her. I want to balance my work and family.”

Recalling the strenuous routine TV demands, the actor adds, “I would love to do TV, but I won’t be able to balance work and home then. Thode demanding hours hote hain TV mein. I want work to be one part of my life. I want to enjoy life and work. OTT and films allow you to do that. I would love to do a TV show if someone says, ‘Yeh sirf 6 months ki series hai’. And, I am sure that day would also come.”