As the conversation around maternity and professional flexibility continues to gain ground in the entertainment industry, actor Gauahar Khan is the latest to add her voice to the dialogue. In a candid exchange with actor Debina Bonnerjee on her podcast, Gauahar opened up about navigating motherhood at the age of 39, sharing her experience of a miscarriage, the emotional aftermath, and what it means to work through physically demanding roles while pregnant.

Her comments come shortly after reports emerged of actor Deepika Padukone stepping away from filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit, allegedly due to unfulfilled requests for eight-hour shifts and time off — putting renewed spotlight on how working women, particularly in showbiz, balance personal commitments with public-facing careers.

Gauahar, who welcomed her son Zehaan in 2023, is now expecting her second child. She reflected on how the journey to motherhood wasn’t without setbacks. “I was 36 when I got married, and we knew we wanted to try for a child within a year,” she said, adding, “But I had a miscarriage before Zehaan, and it took me a year and a half to even gather the courage to try again. When I finally conceived him, everything went smoothly.”

Recounting the emotional toll, she said, “At that point, you assume everything will go as planned. No one expected me to lose the child. It was extremely difficult. By the time I gave birth to Zehaan, I was already 39. And if I wanted another child, it was now or never.”

Yet even through both pregnancies, Gauahar never took a prolonged break from work. In fact, she continued filming — often during her first trimester — and was seen performing high-octane action sequences. “I was shooting throughout my first pregnancy, and this time around, I’ve been doing action scenes again. While filming the finale of Fauji 2 in Pune, I was literally blasting bombs on screen,” she said, adding, “If I’m committed to a project, I can’t be unprofessional. Thankfully, the action directors have been extremely understanding and shoot the scenes accordingly.”

Tasked with playing the role of a RA&W agent in Commander Karan Saxena, Gurmeet Choudhary didn’t need to look too far for inspiration.

“My dad was responsible for training the new recruits who would join the army, and I have seen him train since I was a child,” says the actor, adding, “I’d [exercise] along with him and have enjoyed doing so since childhood. I like to be physically fit, and am a black belt holder. But the training required for the role of a RA&W agent is quite different. We had to shoot in real location, and pull off real fight sequences. For that, a lot of practice was needed. I requested my dad [to help me], and he taught me how to hold and load the gun, and how to use it as a torch.”

While Choudhary, who made his debut with a teleseries, has been applauded for his physical prowess, (“Had I not been an actor, I’d be in the army,” he says), he believes adding sprinting to his regimen served as a game-changer.

“I was clocking in 100 metres in 12 seconds, which is when my coach encouraged me to compete in the nationals. It helped me build immense stamina. At the time, I was working on two projects, and would, at times, go without sleep for four days. I could endure that because I practiced sprinting. If you notice, marathoners are lean, but sprinters are muscular. And even if your sprinting bout is only 12 seconds long, you need to warm up and prep for it for an hour. I was able to beat sprinters who are in their 20s, and a lot of the credit goes to the strength training I have done over the years. People speak of the importance of weight training today. But, in the west, whether you are a dancer or any other sports-person, weight-training is compulsorily done to retain muscle mass. A lot of that muscle mass helped me sprint better. That, along with my martial arts programme, helped me build a [holistic] routine,” says the actor, who lifts every evening, and practices either MMA or sprinting each morning. 

Weighing in on the popular notion that the success of an exercise programme is “80 per cent dependent on the diet, and 20 per cent, on the exercise regimen”, Choudhary says, given a chance, he’d alter the proportions.

“I have understood that a fitness programme is dependent on the diet by 99 per cent. Only if your diet is absolutely regimented can you achieve and maintain a fantastic frame. My diet is severely controlled. I haven’t eaten a samosa in 14 years, and haven’t had sugar in years. At this stage in my career, I think I don’t have taste buds. I have created such a system for my body that I [don’t want to consume anything that’s hyper-palatable]. It’s a sacrifice I have made to achieve the things I have. In this world, merely two percent of individuals create a name for themselves. If I am among them, it is on me to make the required sacrifices. I have been training for years, but each day that I wake up, I fight the desire to eat sugar, and the urge to skip the gym. But, it is worth it all.”

Along with his fitness enthusiast wife, actor Debina Bonnerjee, Choudhary says he encourages healthy eating habits among his kids. “We don’t let them watch the screen while having their meals. Our kids have never eaten pizza, or packaged foods. They also get different meals across the seven days of the week so that they can be introduced to new tastes.”

- I begin my day with butter coffee. The ghee we consume comes from Himachal [Pradesh]. An hour later, I consume a celery, lemon, ginger, amla, and mint juice.

- My breakfast comprises five whole eggs, five egg whites, and avocado. An hour later, I have a few soaked and peeled almonds with milk. 

- Lunch comprises boiled chicken with broccoli and mushrooms. Later in the day, I have some blueberries.

- In the evening, I again have avocado, and grilled fish or boiled chicken. 

- Before I head to bed, I have a protein shake with supplements.

His father’s name is Sitaram and his wife, actor Debina Bonnerjee’s mum’s name is Shabri. The village he was born in is Jairampur. So evidently, Ram has an integral connect with Gurmeet Choudhary’s life.

The actor, who became a household name because of his portrayal of Ram in Ramayan (2008) and married his co-star, Bonnerjee, who played Sita on the show, says, “I go for physical training at 4.30 am daily. On the way, I see so many posters of Ram ji. I think this is the kind of celebration that must have happened when he returned to Ayodhya back in the day. Aisi hi vibe rahi hogi. Jab main ghar se nikalta hoon aaj kal, log good morning ki jagah Ram Ram bolte hain.”

Choudhary visited the Ram Mandir construction site two years ago and made a donation too. Ask him about the amount he donated, and the actor says, “Iss baare mein naa baat karein toh achcha hai. Some things should not be talked about as a lot of belief is attached. I feel lucky that I got to do that and also play Ram in the show when I was just 24.”

Ask if a visit to Ayodhya is on the cards and the Geet – Hui Sabse Parayi actor says, “Jaise hi time milta hai, we will visit within a week. The last time Debina and I visited the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, we had prayed for our two children.”

Actor-couple Gurmeet Choudhary and Debina Bonnerjee are currently in Varanasi for the mundan (tonsure) ceremony of their two daughters.

“I last came here in 2019. Tab bachchon ke liye mannat maangi thi, toh wapas toh aana hi tha. Also, when you are connected with spirituality, you get a different feel and vibe here,” Choudhary tells us.

The couple, who tied the knot in 2011, welcomed their two daughters last year — Lianna in April and Divisha in November. Since the former was not doing well, they performed her mundan in Mumbai itself but carried her shaved hair for immersion in the holy river.

“We decided to do Divisha’s mundan in Varanasi and submerse both our daughters’ hair in the holy river,” says Choudhary. The ritual was held at the Dashashwamedh Ghat.

Bonnerjee, in fact, has a special and strong connection with the holy city. “My nani used to live here, so I have visited a lot and have strong memories related to the city, its narrow lanes, temples and ghats. A lot has changed since then. Ghats and temples ka nazaara hi alag hai,” she ends.

Actor Gauahar Khan, 39, who gave birth to her son in May, recently revealed she shed 10kg of her post-delivery weight in just 10 days. After she posted a picture of herself on Insta, many fans called it unhealthy and said it set unrealistic standards for new mums. Coming to her defence is actor Surveen Chawla, who believes it’s nobody’s business how or when a new mother loses her pregnancy weight.

The 38-year-old says, “It’s bizarre to discuss a person’s weight. Motherhood has just hit them and whether you lose 10kgs in 10 days or 100 days, it has nothing to do with that.”

The actor, who herself became a mother in April 2019, stresses that a “woman’s body undergoes a lot of changes during pregnancy and as they enter a new phase in life”. This isn’t the first time an actor’s post-pregnancy weight gain has become a topic of conversation as actors such as Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Neha Dhupia have faced trolling as well.

The Rana Naidu actor believes people need to be more sensitive towards new mums before judging their bodies. She says, “As actors, we can influence the world, but people need to understand that social media is far more influential than us. You can criticize us, our work and relationships, it’s fine, because we are in the public eye. But [talking about] a woman’s body, at a time when she has gone through an unfathomable change, is stooping to a new low.”

Mother to two toddlers, actor Debina Bonnerjee says, “Gauahar was able to lose weight because her body allowed her to shed fat easily. I’m sure she didn’t starve herself to achieve it. We’re in no place to criticize a woman if they’ve lost weight or haven’t been able to. You won’t understand what their journey is until you’ve experienced it. I was badly criticized when I couldn’t shed my pregnancy weight as I had a different pregnancy and recovery. People need to understand and respect that.

Actor Charu Asopa, mum to a one-year-old girl, says, “There’s no harm in losing weight if you can achieve it through healthy ways. Uske liye crazy ho jaana is not good. Moreover, it differs from person-to-person, because we all have different body types. For me, it wasn’t easy, but for someone else, it might be. But this topic doesn’t require a discussion. We can’t be criticizing anyone for losing or gaining weight.

Inputs by Syeda Eba Fatima

On their recent visit to Delhi – and in the little time they had – Gurmeet Choudhary and Debina Bonnerjee visited Janpath. “I had really hoped I could go see Banjara Market. But I only got a day to spend in Delhi,” said Debina. This was the first time that Gurmeet and Debina were travelling without their daughters – Lianna and Divisha.

Talking about their trip with their kids, Gurmeet says, “Even when we went out for short trips, we always travelled with them. This time around, it felt like we are on a date after a long time.”

Debina says that the only advice they got from friends and family after they learnt that the two would be travelling without kids was “aaj raat achhe se sona”. “We have so many sleepless nights now. Gurmeet is with one kid in one room and I am with another in a different room. In case one wakes up, she cries so loudly that the other one also gets up. I don’t remember when was the last that we got uninterrupted sleep. But now that I am in Delhi, I don’t know how I will sleep without them,” she adds.

While Gurmeet has been shooting, Debina hasn’t resumed regular work after the birth of her kids. “I am in no hurry to start work. I have done a lot of work, and this is the time I can take to be with my kids. As of now, I enjoy creating social media content. I try to be as real as possible. I present my daily struggles, dilemmas as a young mom,” says Debina.

Unsolicited advice is something that every new parent has to deal with, and Gurmeet says that they meet people every day who have suggestions to offer on how to raise their kids. He adds, “From neighbours to helpers, everyone has something or the other to tell us about our kids, but Debina is very particular. She does a lot of research on every small thing when it comes to the kids.”

Earlier this month, actor-couple Debina Bonnerjee and Gurmeet Choudhary welcomed their second child, about eight months after their first child, daughter Lianna, was born. Their younger daughter, who was born “sooner than due”, in the seventh month of pregnancy has been getting extra care and love from the parents. The mum of two chats with us about bringing up her little ones.

Recalling the time when she was taken to the hospital before her due date, the actor says, “My health wasn’t in the best condition. Everyone, including the doctor, advised me to go ahead with the delivery by C-section, rather than wait and make things complicated.” She adds how she continues to worry about her younger daughter’s health. “It took the doctors a long time to bring her out. I was worried about her even when I held her for the first time,” adds Bonnerjee.

However, the actor has a good reason to celebrate now that her daughter is home from NICU. “The baby is doing fine now. Every other day, she has to go to the hospital for checkup and monitoring,” says the actor.

While the toughest of moments have passed, Bonnerjee is still extremely cautious around her newborn. “She is very tiny. We have to be extremely careful around her. Mujhe apni beti ko kisi aur ko dene mein ghabrahat hoti hai, because she is so delicate. I worry ke kuch ho na jaye,” she says.

The Laal Ishq actor recently posted pictures of her swollen feet and postpartum belly on social media, sharing details of her recovery phase. “It has just been ten days and my body is healing quite fast. Jo problems pehle ho rahe the, ab nahin hain. During the last few days of my pregnancy, it was very difficult for me to move around because there was too much water in my stomach. Now, I have started getting massages and am following a good diet that would help in recovery. I have this maqsad to get back in shape, which is giving me a lot of motivation. I’m happy that my stomach has also gone back considerably in just a week,” she shares.

Of late, life has been full of surprises for Debina Bonnerjee and Gurmeet Choudhary. They welcomed their first child, Lianna, in April. Four months later, the couple took to Instagram to announce their second pregnancy. The ecstatic couple is waiting with bated breath for the arrival of their second child, who will be 10 months apart from Lianna.

Debina shares, “Becoming a mother is a beautiful feeling, especially for someone who kept motherhood on the shelf for a long time and then struggled for almost seven years to embrace it. When we learnt that we would be blessed with a second child, my happiness knew no bounds. We always wished to have two children.”

Gurmeet adds, “The journey to parenthood hasn’t been easy. Par jab bhagwaan deta hai, toh chappar phaad kar deta hai. When we got the news, it felt unbelievable. Our family is complete now. During my growing up years, I heard the saying ‘Hum Do Hamaare Do’ a lot and it has happened to us. Lianna ko uska bhai ya behen mil jaayegi. It’s important to have a sibling, especially when both parents are working. My children will have each other’s company.”

The couple says that the news of the second pregnancy caught them off guard. Debina says, “Guru (Gurmeet) couldn’t believe it. We were in denial for almost an hour. It’s nothing short of a miracle, as we were certain that it couldn’t happen to us. I was ecstatic not only about the news but also to learn that my body overcame medical problems. My mom says that Lianna has got her soulmate.”

Gurmeet agrees, “I could not believe it to be honest (laughs!). I suspected the pregnancy kit to be faulty and wanted to see a doctor. Till then I didn’t know whether it would be too premature to celebrate. Itne saalon tak aisa kuchh nahi hua toh achaaknak se kaise. Achhi cheez ko time lagta hai par ho jaati hai.”

While they are enjoying this phase, trolls have been busy taking digs at the couple ever since Debina posted about their second pregnancy. The actress, who usually turns a blind eye to trolling, admits that it took her a while to ace the art of not paying heed to toxicity.

She says, “There were comments like I only want to deliver children and I am not interested in getting back to my fit self or my career. Many said another pregnancy in quick succession is harmful to me. People don’t bat an eyelid before passing judgments. How can they expect me to consult a doctor for an unplanned pregnancy? They are worried if I would be able to spend enough time with Lianna. What do they expect me to do? It doesn’t happen at will and who better than me to vouch for it.”

She adds, “I can’t worry about people’s opinions anymore. Also, as a working mother, I don’t want to be a part of any race. If I want, I can get back to work six months after delivering my second child. I am not competing with anyone.”

Gurmeet has adopted a rather positive way of handling negativity on social media. He says, “Debina and I often sing Kuchh toh log kahenge, logon ka kaam hai kehna. As actors and public figures, we are more exposed to scrutiny. However, I don’t delve into negative comments and consciously avoid the ones that appear even slightly negative. Toh na hi galat cheez padho na hi aapko affect hoga (smiles).”

Gurmeet Choudhary and Debina Bonnerjee’s phones haven’t stopped ringing since they announced their second pregnancy, with congratulatory messages pouring in for the actor-couple. However, there is a section of people questioning their decision to have a second child just over four months after the birth of their first child — their daughter, Lianna. But Choudhary chooses to cut the noise out.

He tells us, “I do read the comments, but when I sense it is turning into trolling, I stop. Hum jo hain, humein malum hai. Before Lianna, we walked a very difficult path to having a child. So, becoming parents for the second time is a miracle. We are blessed.”

He also mentions having a second child was always the plan: “I always wanted Lianna to have a sibling, jiske saath woh badi ho... Mere bhai aur mere beech 11 mahine ka difference hai bas, we grew up together. So, I think it (having a second child) is the best thing to happen to us. Now, we will be a complete family. As they say, hum do, humare do.”

The actor, who was last seen in the music video Teri Galiyon Se, is preparing to take on daddy duties for the second time. But this time around, he feels he is better prepared.

“When Debina was pregnant for the first time, we assumed that it was the most difficult phase, because one has to be so careful and keep a check on so many things. Even after having a kid, it is still the same because we have to be extra careful and take care of everything about her. I have to admit that Lianna ne humein warm-up kar diya hai to be parents again,” he quips.

Calling this phase of his life the best ever, personally and professionally, Choudhary goes on to say, “For me, it was all about my family first and then work. Now, there is a sense of calm that has entered our lives. Watching our daughter grow up, seeing every small reaction of hers and getting surprised by them all... We are so happy in this phase of our lives, personally and professionally. I think that is the true meaning of success for me.”

Debina Bonnerjee and her husband, actor Gurmeet Choudhary, welcomed their baby girl, Lianna in April this year. The actress clearly seems to be relishing her new role as she often posts pictures with her bundle of joy. The journey to motherhood, however, has not been an easy one.

Debina says, “We got married in 2011 but back then, having a baby meant giving away my career. I also had apprehensions ki break liya toh career stake par aa jaayega. The plan was to find stability first before taking another step.”

The desire to embrace parenthood, however, did arise one day – five years ago. Debina, recalls, “I was part of a show and couldn’t quit it midway. So that resulted in a further delay of about two years. Soon after that, I decided to pursue motherhood aggressively. But jab aap nahi chaahte ho tab bohot kuchh hota hai, aur jab chaahte ho tab nahi hota hai.”

It was during the phase when the couple was trying everything possible to become parents that Debina got to know of her health issues. “When the lockdown happened, I was undergoing treatments and shuttling between doctors, which was time-consuming and monetarily draining,” shares Debina, who was diagnosed with endometriosis and adenomyosis during that time. “It’s an irreversible and incurable condition. I changed my lifestyle completely. I took steps to reduce the accumulation of toxins in my body and also stopped eating outside completely,” she says.

She continues, “The fight to become a mother lasted five years. I failed five times during the process, which included three IUIs and two IVFs. I also tried alternative therapies, like acupuncture and flower therapy. I would cry all the time because I held myself responsible for the failure. The feeling of reaching a dead-end is devastating. ”

The one person she gives all credit to is her husband Gurmeet. She elaborates, “My work, workouts, and having the right life partner kept me sane. It’s not a solo journey. The responsibility of having a child shouldn’t rest on just a woman’s shoulders; it’s on the couple. It’s a joint journey. Every time, I faced failure, I would talk it out with my husband. Gurmeet was always positive and made me believe that it was our journey.”

She shares, “I receive a lot of emails from women telling me that their husbands aren’t supportive, but they want to go through this journey to salvage their marriage. I want to tell them that if your husband isn’t with you now, a kid will not bring him back. Bring a child into this world only if your relationship is strong. The child is the harvest of love. Everything is worth it with a solid partner.”

A few months ago, Debina was trolled for not holding her baby Lianna properly in a picture that she shared on Instagram. Dismissing the incident, “I know what all I have gone through to become a mother. Why will I hold my baby in a way that she could fall? I would get upset initially over such comments, but then I realised that Lianna, my husband, and my family need my attention, not frivolous things like these. Having said that, I am mindful about what I post now.”

Debina can’t bear to be away from her little daughter. “I miss Lianna when I am not around her. The minute I reach home, I wash my hands and rush to her.”

While she does not rule out returning to acting, she is in no hurry to pick just about any project. “I am getting offers, but I am waiting for a good project to make a comeback with,” she says. “I have been shooting regularly for my brands, including the day I was discharged from the hospital. At some point, life has to be led normally,” adds the actress.

It’s Debina Bonnerjee’s first Mother's Day today as one herself, and she finds the feeling extremely special. The actor, married to actor Gurmeet Choudhary, gave birth to a girl on April 3. They have named her Lianna. “Being a mother feels awesome. Life changes a lot after it. All that you used to think about without batting an eye, now those thoughts come keeping the well-being of the child first. Be it a trip or anything else, everything is planned according to her,” she says.

The 35-year-old shares that the toughest part about being a parent is understanding what the child’s cries mean. “What does our child think, what does she want, what do her cries mean... you have to understand that, right from day one. Now, I can understand my mother, who always tries to figure out what’s going on in my mind, what I want to eat, what I’m thinking. She wants to understand it even before I think about it or can spell it out,” Bonnerjee elaborates.

She adds that the only time she is able to relax as a new mum is when her baby is with her own mother. “I don’t think I would be able to do anything without her parenting tips. My mother is the anchor of my life right now. I don’t think I would be able to sleep at all. It’s because my mother is there that I can. If I can trust anybody else with my child, it’s her. When my baby is with her, I am able to relax,” Bonnerjee tells us.

Has her and Choudhary’s daily routine changed after becoming parents? Not really, she says. “I am trying to incorporate my discipline in my child right from day one. We are early morning risers and go to sleep early. The first few weeks, she would be awake the whole night and sleep during the day. Now we put her to sleep at night, and wake her up at 6 in the morning, and give her a bath. Discipline is very important,” she ends.

Debina Bonnerjee and Gurmeet Choudhary couldn’t hold back tears of joy when they held their baby girl for the first time. The new parents say that their life has taken a complete turn with the arrival of their baby girl. Debina shares, “It took some time for the whole feeling to sink in. However, I was fully prepared, and I knew what to do. It was funny that Gurmeet and I cried so much when we saw her for the first time. Our tears of joy wouldn’t stop. Both sets of grandparents are on top of the world. All of us are thrilled that it’s a girl.”

Gurmeet says that he wants to be the best father to his daughter. “I have always loved having kids around but seeing my own baby brought a different level of happiness for both of us. I want to be a hero to my daughter. People have been talking to me about the father-daughter connection and I have been feeling that. I have been smiling throughout,” adds the elated father.

Gurmeet further shares that his bond with Debina strengthened during the pregnancy. “We were merely 18 years old when we moved to Mumbai. We got married later and have been together for a long time. During the pregnancy, I became very protective of Debina. I used to constantly think about her wellbeing,” he says, adding that he has been on paternity leave for a month now. “I have left projects and the ones which I had already committed to, I took a break from them. I felt it was the right thing to do. I am lucky that the people I am working with understood this,” he shares.

Talking about the name of the baby, Debina shares, “We are still deciding on that. We have decided on the first letter of the name and will finalise a name soon, too.”

Actor-couple Debina Bonnerjee and Gurmeet Choudhary welcomed their first child, a daughter, on April 3 after 11 years of marriage, and Bonnerjee says that the feeling of becoming a parent hasn’t hit her yet. She’s emotional, overwhelmed and anxious, all at the same time. She admits that her pregnancy was difficult, but it was all worth it.

“I have a sense of anxiety combined with a total sense of calmness, if that even makes sense! I understand my own mother so much better now because the emotion of holding your child and the protective instinct as a mother to your infant is something you can only comprehend after you have your baby,” Bonnerjee tells us. 

So, what is the name of their new baby? “Pehle toh kaafi ladai jhagde chal rahe,” Choudhary says without revealing anything. He adds, “But we’ve reached an agreement now. We’ll reveal it when we feel like it.”

The couple met each other when they were 18 years old and have been married for almost a decade. For Bonnerjee, her daughter is her “little miracle” as she walked down the arduous path of conceiving for a long time. But Choudhary says that he waited for the right time to have a child.

He says, “Mere mum and dad ne mujhe humesha pyaar se rakha hai, but kyunki hum middle-class family se the, mujhe bahut saari cheezein mil nahin payi. My parents did the best they could, but as a kid, I wished things were a little different. When I started working, I used to discuss it with Debina too and told her ki bachche tab honge jab meri wo aukaat ho. If my baby wants something, I should never need to worry about it.” 

Finally, they mention that their house is flooded with “rishtedaar and khaandan” just a week after the baby arrived. “It feels as if there’s a wedding,” they conclude.

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.

Debina Bonnerjee, best known for her portrayal as Sita in Ramayan, has not been seen in a fiction show for a long time. She last appeared in Chidiya Ghar seven years ago. The actress says she loves the medium, but has stayed away from daily soaps for a reason.

She says, “I have been offered shows, but I am keeping away by choice. Currently, I am looking for some interesting work in the web space. Some people feel TV content isn’t good, but I like it and I think the audience likes to watch it, too, and that’s what really matters. Right now, I am explore other mediums.”

Recently, Debina appeared on Bigg Boss 15 as a guest. Would she ever be a part of the show as a contestant? She says, “Even Salman Khan asked me this when I went on the show and I said, let’s see. I have been offered the show earlier and due to some or the other reason, I never took it up. Never say never because you don’t know when you may end up doing what you say no to.”

On the personal front, Debina has been married to actor Gurmeet Choudhary for the past 10 years. Talking about their bond, she says, “Gurmeet and I are both not very social people. There are times when we are invited for a party, but just a day prior, we find reasons for not going! We are happy spending time with each other.”

So, what’s the secret behind their togetherness? “We don’t have any planned way of keeping our romance alive. Our bond is strong which keeps us going. We have a sense of honesty and we don’t force each other to do things. These little things help us keep the love and respect intact. Gurmeet and I feel safest and comfortable with each other, which is why I share everything with him and only him.”

A few months ago, everyone thought that the couple renewed their wedding vows. But that wasn’t the case, clarifies Debina. “Gurmeet and I had shot for a short film two years ago which released, so I shared a small clip from that film. That was a wedding sequence and people thought it was in real life,” she says.

Recently, actor Debina Bonnerjee came up with an initiative to support small-scale and struggling fashion businesses during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. She has been wearing apparels from lesser known brands and putting up pictures on social media to promote them among her followers, thus becoming “the bridge between buyers and sellers”.

She elaborates, “Actors are heavily dependent on the fashion industry. I’ve been receiving mails where people were requesting me to help boost their businesses. I realised that they are really suffering. Many people like small-scale weavers and tailors, are dependent on these businesses.”

Urging everyone to opt for local brands, Bonnerjee says, “Even amid the lockdown, people shop to bust stress. This implies that they’ve the purchasing power. Buying from local businesses will give a boost to our indigenous economy.”

She believes, people with a strong follower base on digital platforms should come forward to help upcoming businesses survive and bloom. “During the second wave, we have seen how humanity came to the fore. Social media isn’t only about posting good pictures; it’s also a platform to reach out to a bigger audience,” ends the actor who was last seen in Aladdin - Naam Toh Suna Hoga.

The Coronavirus pandemic had put a hold on shoots, similar to what happened in 2020. In such trying times, everyone needs money to sail through the crisis. However, many actors feel that the pay system on TV is adding to their financial woes.

Conventionally, 90-days has been the timeline most actors get their pay after. Since last year, many actors have been voicing their concern over this system, terming it unfeasible, especially in such uncertain times. So, did it lead to any course correction? The industry at large says it’s still the same.

Actor Aishwarya Sakhuja, who is currently seen in the show Yeh Hai Chahatein says, “What happens is established actors put a clause in their contract in the very beginning. Most production houses have been kind to me. But for the rest, the 90-day pay period continues.”

Moreover, some production houses have requested actors to even cut down their pay. “The system is still the same; there has been no change. Even for me, they were asking if we can do some more cut in the payment. We are stepping out in the pandemic to shoot, on top of that, we are working with a cut, it doesn’t make sense,” says Debina Bonnerjee, adding that apart from insurance, actors don’t get any other add-on benefit.

Cine & TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) senior joint secretary and chairman, outreach committee, Amit Behl cites the trickle down effect as the reason for pay system still being the same. “Advertising revenues have dropped by 80%. The manufacturer delays payment to advertiser, it delays payment to broadcaster, it in turn delays for the producers and then to cast and crew,” he explains.

Sharing plight of producers, he adds, “Lead and semi-lead actors earn ₹16-17 lakhs per month, and if they want the payment immediately, how will they get it? Almost 90% producers have cleared the payments to smaller actors.”

According to J D Majethia, chairman, TV division of IFTPC, some producers have indeed brought the payment cycle down. “A few broadcasters tried to alter their policies and tried to pay producers. I would say it’s not been continued, as last year, the policy was designed to address the pandemic,” he says.

Actors Sharad Malhotra and Kratika Sengar feel that the 90-day pay system needs to change. “The system needs to change by the people sitting above. The producers, channels need to give it a thought. I hope they do something,” says Malhotra.

Sengar, however, shares that every actor has a different contract. “It’s about the contract you make with the production house. I stand with those artists who get it after 90 days. But these artists need to speak up too,” Sengar concludes.

As the country struggles against the deadly Coronavirus, Gurmeet Choudhary is making efforts to help people in dire need. The Khamoshiyan actor recently assembled a team and circulated a number on social media asking people to reach out to him for help. He says that Sonu Sood inspired him to start the campaign. “A few of my friends and relatives, who are financially stable, were struggling to get a bed in hospitals. They would call me for help, and that’s when I realised the situation needs immediate intervention. So, I decided to start a campaign on social media. I shared a number in a post and asked people in need to reach out to me. I was also inspired by Sonu Sood. I know him closely, we have worked on Paltan together and I’m proud of what he is doing. As actors, we have the power to reach out to millions, and I feel this is the right way to use it,” he says.

Gurmeet and his wife Debina Bonnerjee had tested COVID positive last year. He feels the situation is worse now. Sharing his first-hand experience of the current COVID crisis, the actor tells us, “When Debina and I tested positive, things were bad, but now the situation is worse.”

Gurmeet adds, “The second wave is dangerous, the virus is spreading like wildfire. People often call me and cry, log bolte hain meri maa ko bacha lo, save my child, my sister is suffering... it’s devastating. I haven’t slept for the past five-six days. There’s a shortage of medicines, injections, beds, oxygen cylinders, a lot of people are calling us for plasma, but awareness hi nahi hai, people don’t know about it. Debina and I donated plasma after our recovery, we shared it on social media as well and asked people to do the same. But nobody took it seriously, ab mahaul bahut kharab hai. Now, I have again started requesting people to donate plasma. It is necessary for the betterment of the situation.”

The actor, who is currently shooting in Dehradun, says that they are taking all the necessary precautions on set. “There aren’t many people here, the crew makes sure to wear masks, shields and PPE kits and sabka COVID test hota hai har do-teen din ke baad. Though it’s risky for actors because we have to remove masks in front of the camera, kaam bhi zaroori hai. And right now, we need money to save people. Logon ke pass hospitals mein jaane ke paise nahi hain. And even on the set, there are a lot of people who need money. Hum do saal ke liye ghar par toh nahi baith sakte hain. Work is also important.”

While in Dehradun, the actor has been visiting hospitals and meeting doctors. “People told me that it’s not safe to go to hospitals right now, but I had to go to see the situation. While I’m taking care of my safety I feel it’s also important to make sure that others are safe. My team and I are tying up with multiple hospitals across the country and trying to provide beds to them. I have requested a few of my businessmen friends to help me financially in this. I want to save as many lives as I can,” he says.

Gurmeet’s efforts have got him praise from all quarters. He says, “I don’t think anything can make me happier than this. I got a call from Varanasi on Wednesday at 2 am, the person needed help to shift his sister to a Delhi hospital. I told him that aapki behen, meri behen hai, aur uski help karna mera farz hai. I called up a few people and helped them shift her. I want to bring a ripple effect of change. I want people to help each other. Adopt a patient if you can and if you can’t, share the patient’s details with me, tag me on social media. Let’s all come together and help each other in these trying times.”

It was on September 30 that Gurmeet Choudhary and Debina Bonnerjee tested positive for Coronavirus. The couple, along with Bonnerjee’s parents, who also tested positive, has recovered after a span of two weeks. “The last 14 days felt like it was 14 years of vanvas. Debina and I had a lot of symptoms and we had thought since we are so much into fitness and follow a strict diet, we would probably have no symptoms. Initial three-four days were difficult,” Gurmeet tells us.

Debina, who is “extremely happy” to have tested negative now, is thankful that though her parents tested positive at the same time, they were both asymptomatic. “As Gurmeet and I were extremely unwell initially, we decided to get my parents tested as well. They tested positive, but were asymptomatic. Hence, they looked much fitter than Gurmeet and I, and that feeling helped us mentally,” she says.

Gurmeet, 36, admits it is important to be mentally stable during this period. “There were quite a few medicines given, and we used to sleep for about 17 to 18 hours a day. Besides, mentally, you feel a lot of pressure. You get to see a lot of negative news about the pandemic everywhere. But, we kept ourselves motivated,” he asserts.

On experiencing a strange sense of confusion while recovering, Debina says, “They say there is a certain kind of brain fog that happens during Covid-19, and I showed all of those symptoms (laughs). I was talking, and the next day, I would forget I said it. When you are in the moment, you don’t understand it, but when the confusion goes away in your brain, you realise the action wasn’t normal.”

The couple is, however, thankful that they were “all together” in this difficult phase. “Family thi saath me toh survive kar liya,” Gurmeet adds.

Ask what they have to say to people not following SOPs and Debina, 37, says, “In India, people don’t see and learn, they face it and then learn. Jab tak saare population ko nahi ho jata and 20% population nahi rahega, tab tak log nahi seekhenge. It is extremely serious, I don’t understand why people cannot get it.”

In a recent interaction with Mirror (September 24), Gurmeet Choudhary had revealed that he had returned to the city on September 17, after completing a one-month schedule of his upcoming film, The Wife, in Jaipur. He had confirmed that both he and his wife Debina Bonnerjee, who had also started shooting for her TV show, were doing fine. The couple was planning a road trip to Goa, but before that they decided to hop across to Lonavala, leaving on September 21 and returning two days later.

On Wednesday, the actor shared that both he and his wife have tested positive for Coronavirus and isolated themselves at home. A source close to the actor reveals that Gurmeet’s body temperature had risen since his return. “They took all the precautions while travelling and were conscious not to risk themselves in any way. He initially thought the fever was viral and despite a definite improvement in his condition, decided to take the test on Tuesday as a precautionary measure. However, both he and Debina are doing fine,” added the source.

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