Bharti Singh is content posting vlogs of her daily routine and her one-year-old son Laksh (aka Golaa) on her YouTube channel. The reason the actor-comedienne is investing time in the channel is because her fee has been affected due the Coronavirus related budget cuts. “No artiste would be fine if they aren’t paid what they deserve. Agar main jo charge karti thi, uska 25% bhi nahin doge, toh fir kaam nahin ho payega,” says Singh, who had a cameo in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.

The 39-year-old further adds, “I won’t mind if it was a day’s work, but if you ask me to give 26 days in a month to a show and I’m not being paid well, I would prefer to take a step back, kyunki main apne bacche ko 12 ghante ghar par chhod kar aaungi.”

Speaking about her work ethic, she explains that she doesn’t like to complain or “say things like, ‘Main one lakh leti thi, ab 50 hazaar le rahi hu, toh sirf teen jokes maarungi’”. She adds, “Once I’m on stage, I don’t remember how long I was asked to perform or how much I was paid.”

She says, her vlogs allow her to spend “time with Golaa, who is growing up [so fast]”. She adds, “I want to enjoy these moments. Ye waqt mujhe wapas nahin milega.”

Diwali, today, is extra special for Bharti Singh, as it is her son, Laksh’s first. The comedienne says she and her husband, writer Haarsh Limbachiyaa, have a special celebration planned, as they want to instill traditions and values in their son — whom they fondly call Gola — early on.

“Haarsh and I want Laksh to witness everything. We will definitely have our Diwali puja as usual. We will take him out to the balcony to show him the celebrations around. I am sure he will be overjoyed as he has begun to recognise colours,” she tells us.

Not just Diwali, Singh is enjoying all festivals and traditions with her six-month-old. She says, “Every festival of Laksh’s is very special as it’s his first. Sometimes, Haarsh shouts at me for making our son wear traditional outfits. He is like, ‘Utaaro ye kapde, use uncomfortable feel karwa rahi hai’. But, I think it’s only a mother who can teach her child the value and significance of traditions and the way to celebrate a festival. Also, I feel abhi se aadat daalni chahiye bachhe ko. I dressed him up as Lord Krishna for Janmashtmi. I also made him wear traditional clothes on Raksha Bandhan and Karwa Chauth.”

Though this happens to be a memorable occasion, Singh says they are keeping things simple and intimate, and are avoiding crowded gatherings, keeping in mind the safety of her son.

“We didn’t have gatherings because of Covid-19 in the last two years, nor did we invite any friends to our place. This year, too, we intend to keep it simple... We are continuing to see Covid-19 cases here and there. Therefore, I cannot put my child’s health at risk. We will stay away from the crowd as much as possible,” she says, adding that she plans to visit her in-laws as well as her mother.

Another thing she is wary about is how her little one may react to the sound of firecrackers. “He is very young and could be scared by too much noise. So, I’m a little nervous... I hope we can all have a safe and happy Diwali,” she wraps up.

Bharti Singh surprised everyone by returning to the shoot of Hunarbaaz - Desh Ki Shaan just 12 days after delivering her baby boy on April 3. Leaving a newborn at home can, no doubt, be difficult for any mother. It was no different for her.

“I won’t deny that it was very tough to leave my 12-day-old baby at home. I was extremely emotional and cried a lot when I left for work. But, thanks to technology and science, I could do a lot of things for my baby even while being physically absent. There are cameras installed in the house. So, I could watch him. I pumped milk before leaving, which sufficed for the day. He sleeps all day. I have been on stage since I conceived. So, by default, my child has also been on stage since he was conceived. Naturally, he is used to noise, shorsharabe mein bhi so jaata hai. Also, Haarsh (Limbachiyaa) and I are fortunate to have our families by our side to take care of the baby. In fact, the two grannies are always fighting amongst themselves for a chance to pamper him (laughs)!”

Ask her, if motherhood has changed her at all, and she nods in excitement. She says, “Zindagi ke har padaav par changes aate hain. When you are single, you are carefree, but when you get married, other responsibilities get added. I guess that’s God’s way of training you for motherhood.”

Bharti adds, “Motherhood has changed me in more ways than one. I have started taking quick showers, as I want to rush to be with my child and see what he is up to. I keep staring at him when he is asleep. It feels like a miracle that he was in my womb for nine months and I gave birth to him. It angers me when someone tells me ‘Arre, he looks just like Haarsh.’ For nine months it was me carrying him in my body and how come now he looks like Haarsh? He looks like me when he is asleep and resembles Haarsh when is awake. Hamaara bachcha uske mummy aur daddy ki tarah chalaak hai (laughs!).”

Now that she is a mother, will her flirtatious acts with male celebs on her show continue? “When I got pregnant, I would feel shy ki logon ko lagega ki pet mein baby hai phir bhi flirt kar rahi hai. Now that the baby is born, I will get back to my histrionics (laughs!). Also, how can someone not praise beauty? It’s all a part of my act. Toh flirting toh chaalu hi rahegi, woh bhi Haarsh ke saamne ekdum bindaas. After all, he is the one who writes those lines,” she cracks up.

Bharti Singh, who was expecting her first child with husband Haarsh Limbachiyaa, took to social media on Sunday to share that they have welcomed a baby boy (left). Bharti took to her Instagram handle and posted a picture from her maternity shoot.

In the caption, she revealed, “It’s a BOY.” Following the revelation, several celebs shared their wishes for the couple.

Another TV couple, Gurmeet Choudhary and Debina Bonnerjee, welcomed a baby girl on the same day (right). The couple shared a video giving a first glimpse of their baby’s little hand.