From exploring enchanting international destinations to immersing herself in the diverse cultures of India, Shriya Saran has consistently set remarkable travel goals over the years. Recently, the actor celebrates her 40th birthday in Kerala along with her family, as she wanted her toddler to soak up the rich tapestry of Indian culture.

“I made the choice of visiting Kovallam with my daughter to let her experience the serene environment. Also, my husband, Andrei Koscheev, had a strong desire to visit Kerala. While we spent limited time there, it was an absolutely amazing experience,” she says, adding, “We were in awe of the caves and the beaches that surrounded us. We also made a thrilling road trip to Kabini, where we savoured the flavours of Karnataka cuisine. The place offered authentic delicacies that were different from our usual culinary experiences.”

The Drishyam 2 (2022) actor and her husband want their daughter Radha to explore as many wonders of India as possible.

“I want my two-year-old to visit the Ellora Caves (Maharashtra) and other remarkable places. We still have a plethora of unexplored destinations in the eastern part of India, such as Darjeeling (West Bengal) and Assam. And I’m eager to take my daughter and husband to Hampi (Karnataka) and show them the rich culture, food and temples of Chettinad as well,” Saran says.

The RRR (2022) actor took the initiative to introduce her daughter to travel at a very young age by visiting Russia when she was just seven months old.

“It breaks the monotony of being confined to the familiarity of home. Just like Radha developed a fondness for pasta during her time in Italy, she has also discovered her taste preferences through our adventures. While exploring different cuisines during our travels, she sometimes finds them delightful, while other times they fail to impress her,” Saran added.

She believes planning a vacation with kids needs careful planning, especially when choosing the right destination. “It should align with their interests and preferences. There’s no point in taking them to a place where they won’t enjoy or cherish the experiences, as those moments will fade away from their memories. However, if you introduce them to an intriguing place where they can revel in the joy of just being there, they will undoubtedly develop a plethora of skills and create lasting memories,” she concludes.

Shriya Saran turns 40 today and doesn’t want to be hush-hush about it. She’s embracing her age as she believes it’s no longer a hindrance for female actors in the industry. “I’m entering the 40-year club today. While we need to be healthier and fitter, I don’t think age matters,” the actor says, adding, “In my head, I don’t feel 40. In fact, I feel like I am 18, because I have that kind of energy and also with [regard to] the work that I am getting to do nowadays”.

She credits this forward thinking to actors Kajol and Kareena Kapoor Khan, who have broken the glass ceiling for other female actors. “They have opened up things for us and we followed in their path. Kajol didn’t give a s**t about the world; she got married when she wanted to, had a kid and returned [to work] when she wanted to. Kareena worked all throughout her pregnancies. I didn’t have the guts [to do that] when I was pregnant. They’ve shown another level of confidence and I respect that,” says the Kabzaa actor.

While Saran is still big on birthday celebrations, becoming a mother has given her a new perspective: “I’ve realised my birthday is a day [of celebration for] my mother. I wanted to do something special for my parents, but since my father underwent knee surgery, I will do it later on.”

“I will be travelling a lot for my birthday. I will be going to Kovalam with my daughter Radha and husband Andrei Koscheev, who hasn’t been to Kerala. Later, I want to go to Maldives and Kashmir as well.”