Showing posts with label Yami Gautam mother. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yami Gautam mother. Show all posts
The way award functions have been functioning, it’s like they are saying ‘Don’t take us seriously’-Yami Gautam
10:16 AM
Neha Sharma (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 13, 2025)
Ever since her latest film Haq hit theatres, actor Yami Gautam Dhar has been experiencing an emotional outpouring from her fans like never before.
Many women have come up to her, sharing how relatable her character felt, some even kissed her hand, teary-eyed, telling her how empowered they felt after watching her in the film based on the famous Shah Bano case in which a muslim woman fought a legal battle for maintenance from her husband.
For Yami, who has delivered power packed performances in recent years, this recognition feels long due.
“I think everyone has their own interpretation of validation. For me, true validation is when your audience accepts you. When they watch a film and write something, be it a comment or when they tell an artiste something, that purity reflects in their eyes and words. You can feel how much they mean the compliment. It’s very heartening and overwhelming for me as an artiste,” she says.
It’s double celebration in the family these days. Success of her film apart, her husband, filmmaker Aditya Dhar is winning praise for his latest production, Baramulla. “We are very happy,” she smiles. “Aditya’s had his own journey, which has been full of challenges, but staying true to yourself, ethical and honest, that’s a rarity, and I really respect him for that. Of course, I love him; he’s my husband. But with love, that respect is equally important. As a wife, as an artiste, as someone who’s part of the same industry, I respect him. He’s taken the harder way, done what he believes is right, and what gives him peaceful sleep.”
So, has she felt inspired to step behind the camera herself? “No, no, no!” she laughs. “I still feel there’s so much more to explore in acting. I need to figure out what’s next, what more I can do, how differently I can be part of something so that I don’t have to say what kind of films I like. My filmography should speak for me, that I like versatility.”
And her career trajectory spells versatility all the way. Ever since her debut with Vicky Donor in 2012, Yami has built a solid filmography, choosing scripts that stand out. Her process, she says, is entirely instinctive. “Right from Haq, Article 370 ( 2024), OMG 2 (2023) to A Thursday (2022), Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga (2023) or Bala (2019), if I felt the script was good and the choice was right, yes, I chose them. But because someone wrote it, I cannot take that credit. It has to go to the writers, and that’s what we, as an industry, need to value even more now. When I’m done reading a script, my decision is absolutely based on instinct. I don’t overthink. I read it both as an artiste and as an audience.”
As appreciation continues to pour in, Yami has already signed four new films. “It’s the producer’s prerogative to announce,” she smiles when we prod for details. But she’s more than willing to talk about being the audience’s darling and how staying away from trends and formulas has worked for her.
Your fans are betting on a National award for Haq. Are you expecting one, and how much do awards mean to you?
I’m only imagining the headlines out of this because I have no idea how to answer this question. I’m really trying to be so careful and measured. I don’t want to sound like anything that I’m not.
But I’m sure you’ve read the social media posts...
I have, and it’s my audience saying it. So, I think that in itself is a really big thing for me. I’m here because of them and, of course, the belief of certain directors in me when probably not many believed. I don’t go to any award functions, with all due respect to them.
Yes, you are not seen at parties and award functions as such, but it’s said that the film industry is all about networking at such events...
That must be true. There is no denial about it. But if I don’t connect with that, then how do I work? How do I tell someone that I want this opportunity? I’ll work really hard, identify the right scripts and wait for that opportunity from certain directors to take that chance with me, which is what happened in 2019 with Uri, with Aditya (Dhar, filmmaker and her husband). But socially or in terms of going against my personality, something that doesn’t make me happy, or I feel I’m being asked to do something or fit in a system, if that is the system, that’s not me. That was never me. The only way out was work, slowly and steadily. Then yes, awards. There’s a certain section that may believe (in them), so whatever works for you. But the way award functions have been functioning of late, it’s like they themselves are saying ‘Don’t take us seriously’. And I’m not saying it. The audience is saying it now. That means tomorrow, if someone’s there in my position, they will know that both can coexist.
Your son Vedavid is just 1.5 years old. But do you think about which films of yours you’d like to show him later?
I think we’ll come to that when he reaches that age. He’s too young right now, as you said, and I really haven’t thought about it. But my mother said something very sweet to me when I was expecting him, I was shooting for Article 370 (2024) and of course, the mind of a first-time mother or just any mother... It’s your first baby, you’re working in a film like this, and the gazillion questions! The one thing she said was, ‘If you’re fit to work, don’t worry. Your son inherently will value the importance of being a hard worker, like his mum. So you’ll be very proud. You go for it, you give your best. We’re here to take care of you.’ So I used to literally feel the two of us working in every scene. I think that is going to be really special because I’d be like, ‘You are part of that film, you know?’
I just loved it when my mum said: ‘Never tell yourself I can’t do this because I’m a mother now’-Yami Gautam
8:53 AM
Akash Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 3, 2025)
Yami Gautam Dhar welcomed her son, Vedavid, in May last year and she got back to work nine months after embracing motherhood. While new mums often struggle with mother’s guilt when they get back to work, Yami, who was up and about during the promotions for her latest outing, Dhoom Dhaam, doesn’t feel that.
“I come from a family of strong women. One of the strongest women I know was my nani. She was so progressive. My mum told me after my son was born: ‘Yami, don’t ever let that sentiment (mum’s guilt) hover on you, because you have worked hard all your life’,” says the actor.
Crediting her balanced state of mind to the support system around her, the 36-year-old adds, “I just loved it when my mum said: ‘Never tell yourself I can’t do this because I’m a mother now’.” She adds that her husband, filmmaker Aditya Dhar, is also a huge support: “Aditya is a hands-on father and he’s always there for me. He says, ‘Our baby will be proud of his mother when he grows up and will see your work’.”
NO CAMERAS, PLEASE!
Many celebs like to protect their kids’ privacy amid the growing paparazzi culture. Does Yami believe in that too? “Of course, you won’t see Vedavid getting papped. We’ve come to a point with the media where they are understanding of it. These foundation years are crucial and we are not comfortable with cameras all around,” she says.
It feels like an achievement when journalists say that they were taken by surprise with my wedding-Yami Gautam
8:00 AM
A month after tying the knot with Uri director Aditya Dhar, Yami Gautam opens up on her private wedding ceremony, revealing how their romance unfolded and why the couple decided to keep it under wraps
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; July 21, 2021)
Celebs wanting to keep their high-profile wedding under wraps isn’t unheard of. However, in most cases, news of the couples’ exotic European high-end designer wedding travels faster than light back home. Actress Yami Gautam and director Aditya Dhar’s Himachali wedding last month, thus came as a pleasant surprise to one and all. No paps, no orchestrated candids, no event management professionals, fancy trousseau, the works. The minimalism was a remarkable exception to modern-day celeb weddings. Back in the city from Himachal, we asked the newly-wed bride all about her heartwarmingly intimate and private three-day wedding ceremony in the hills. Excerpts...
Aditya and you tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in Mandi, Himachal on June 4. How did both of you manage to ensure that no one gets a whiff of it?
It feels like an achievement when journalists say that they were taken by surprise (smiles!). I feel a lot of things in our life are a reflection of who we are as people. Aditya and I are extremely private and reserved. Family means the world to us. I always knew that whenever this moment happens in my life, it will be a beautiful, small and a homely ceremony, pandemic or no pandemic. We didn’t plan this wedding, we just went along with it. We barely had a month to prepare. Even if there was no pandemic, this is exactly what we wanted — a wedding amidst nature and where our heart belongs — Himachal.
Very few knew that you two were seeing each other. When did the romance begin?
We started interacting when we worked on Uri: The Surgical Strike together. We got talking and developed a friendship during the promotion of the film. That’s when the relationship started. Even before we started seeing each other, I had a lot of respect for Aditya as a person and as a professional. He values people, no matter what. He is polite and courteous even in stressful situations as a director. I had heard stories about how he is genuinely nice to everyone and it’s true. He creates an atmosphere where you look forward to working everyday. There’s a lot of mutual respect between us. Love has a different meaning for different people. For me, it’s about having a nice heart. Above all, you need to be a good person and he’s just like that.
He is Kashmiri, you are from Himachal and the two of you met in Mumbai. What drew you to each other the most?
Aditya is a self-made guy and I adore that about him. I know of his journey. You don’t have to share interests with someone to be together, but a common value system. You can like/dislike totally different things and still find a common ground if the ethics are the same. Our core values are similar. We both belong to middle-class families and family means the world to us. Everyone said the wedding was so real, but that’s how we are as people — unpretentious. We do work in an industry and live in a city which is competitive, but should that change your value system? No. He is the rarest of rare people who is as simple as I am. We are dedicated to our work, but we can’t wait to get back home, share a meal with family and laugh together.
When did you know he’s the one?
You just know it. These things can’t be planned. We never decided that we will get married on June 4. It was like, shall we do it? Okay, let’s go ahead. You just know. It’s your gut feeling, an instinct can never fail you. Our families were equally happy. We didn’t need to convince anyone.
Growing up what were your fantasies about your wedding and was this any different?
The more I attended big weddings, I knew I didn’t want that. Of course, we don’t know the meaning of marriage early on, but going by my understanding and experience of attending weddings, I was sure about what I didn’t want. I am fortunate that both Aditya and I shared this thought. We both are averse to the wastage that happens in weddings — food, flower decorations and so many other things. Also, it’s so difficult to make everyone happy, so why not get married among those who actually care about you. The focus was solely on the ceremony and not us trying to please anyone. We were just two families enjoying the moment. Yes, we missed a lot of friends and relatives who couldn’t be there, but they all understood the importance of adhering to COVID restrictions. Only 20 people were allowed and this included the pandit who performed the wedding. We didn’t want to flout a single rule.
There was no ‘professional’ feel to your wedding. It took us back to the pre-Instagram times, when moments mattered more than the money spent on making them look memorable.
To each his own. I don’t believe in comparing weddings. Every bride is beautiful. Everyone thought it was right for me to go ahead with what I believed in and I was happy to do that. I was never fond of this whole DJ music playing at weddings. I liked my traditional folk songs. My mother-in-law played some beautiful Kashmiri songs. The maroon wedding sari I wore belongs to my mother. My nani had bought it for her. When I showed it to my stylist Allia Al Rufai, she said that it was beautiful and we don’t have these fabrics and patterns anymore. Personally, I wanted to wear something that is close to my heart and carries my tradition. You don’t need big money or expensive clothes to look beautiful on your wedding day. Girls can dig into their mother’s wardrobe and find gorgeous vintage saris. That’s your heritage. You don’t need to burn a hole in your pocket to be happy. The first mandap picture that we posted was clicked by my brother. I did my own make-up. My sister did my hair and coordinated everything. We had one person to click pictures, but he has known us for years.
Aditya has directed you before. Do you see the equation changing on set post marriage?
I can’t say that till he directs me again. So far, he isn’t directing me anytime soon, but you should ask him this (smiles!).
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Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 21, 2021)
It was not love at first sight for actor Yami Gautam Dhar, instead it was friendship with filmmaker Aditya Dhar that bloomed into a bond which she will cherish for her entire life. Staying true to their private selves, the couple managed to escape the spotlight and surprised people in June with the announcement of their wedding.
Ask her when did this love story start, and she reveals, “It all started It during the promotion of our film Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019). That’s when we started talking. I wouldn’t call it dating, but yeah, that was a time when we started interacting with each other and became friends.”
She feels lucky that they managed to keep the affair a secret, adding, “I received so many messages that ‘We just don’t believe that’. We are very private individuals.” She admits that they couldn’t keep it a secret alone, and had some friends guarding this news. “I have a lot of respect for the few common friends (who knew) and respected our privacy. It meant a lot to us,” says the 32-year-old.
A month after their wedding, she hasn’t got much time to spend with husband due to work. “I wish we could spend more time together, but we have an entire lifetime to share it,” she muses.
Now, she’s enjoying her happy bubble with Dhar, doing simple things. “When we’re back home, we know this is our time. We use it to be with our family, have meals together or watch something nice. We’ve found happiness in this routine,” she says.
When it comes to her secret wedding infused with the essence of Himachali traditions, Gautam maintains that she wouldn’t have had it in any other way. “The wedding was exactly how we both wanted. It wasn’t planned. As they say, things happen when they are meant to happen. And they were just meant to happen while the pandemic goes on,” she tells us.
From wearing her mother’s sari, her nani’s dupatta to the traditional ‘pahadi nath’ and having her sister Surilie as her one-man army, her wedding was infused with a personal touch which she will cherish for life. “I wanted to feel the warmth of our traditions. Surilie was with me. If it was not for her, it would’ve been so difficult. In the evening, we used to review in the living room me trying mom’s dupatta and jewellery. My brother and father have captured all these moments,” she concludes.
We were to move into our new home just before the lockdown, now it’s on hold-Yami Gautam
8:05 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; May 6, 2020)
Yami Gautam is looking forward to the nationwide Coronavirus lockdown ending soon. The actress had made a painting of Goddess Durga, which would have adorned a wall of her new home in Chandigarh, had the lockdown not been implemented. Shortly before it was announced, Yami’s family was in the process of moving to their new address in the city.Yami says, “My parents were extremely worried, because I was here in Mumbai and the rest of the family was in Chandigarh. I kept promising my mother that I will get there as soon as I get done with work. However, by the time I wrapped up my work here, the lockdown had been implemented. Now, I will go home when the authorities declare that it’s safe to travel, so that I can be with my family when we move into our new house.”
Talking about the painting that she has created, Yami shares, “I am not an artist, and I don’t paint or sketch with a specific thought in mind. I use the canvas and colours as an outlet for my thoughts and imagination. I remember it was Navratri when I made this painting of Maa Durga, which is my version and imagination of her. My mother loved it and decided that she wanted to place it in our new house.”
Bargaining has its own thrill in Bangkok-Yami Gautam
2:07 PM
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 5, 2017)
Thailand's capital Bangkok traces its roots to a small trading post in the kingdom of Ayutthaya in the 15th cen tury, which grew in size to become the site of two capital cities: Thonburi in 1768 and Rattanakosin in 1782. Emerging as a major regional force in finance and business after the Asian investment boom of the 1980s and 1990s, in which many multinational corporations located their regional headquarters in the city, Bangkok is also an international hub for transport and health care, and a regional centre for the arts, fashion and entertainment. It is also well known for its vibrant street life and cultural landmarks. Actress Yami Gautam's account of the city:
First things first
I
visited Bangkok in January with my mom. I was going there for a shoot
but the trip doubled up as a vacation. We visited Asiatique The
Riverfront mall and the Wat Pho temple, also known as the temple of the
reclining Buddha. It was rebuilt by King Rama I and it went on to become
his main temple where his ashes are enshrined. Buddhism as a religion
is meditative and spiritual and not just about following practises.
There is a certain decorum maintained at the temple; although there are a
lot of people in there, the place is peaceful and well maintained. I
spent about an hour there.Detox time
I also went to the popular night market Rot Fai and picked up some knickknacks. It's detox time when I am in Bangkok as I relish the fresh fruits available there. Coconut water, star fruit and dragon fruit are a delight but I couldn't resist trying different flavours of ice cream there.
Shopaholic with a stopwatch
I'm one of the most impatient shopaholics so whatever I feel like buying is bought quickly. Also, it's impossible to not shop when mom is around. We picked up a lot of clothes and footwear from local flea markets. My feet are terribly small and I get a good variety for my foot size there. I also picked up local souvenirs for friends. Bargaining has its own thrill in Bangkok and prices are really reasonable. I also enjoyed shopping at malls like Terminal 21.
Interestingly, I realised that the shopkeepers quote a higher price for Indians at flea markets. Later, one of them explained that Indians bargain a lot so they start off with a bigger number.
Home-grown charm
While shooting with the local crew, I fell in love with the sound of their language. Bangkok is a tourist destination so the people are warm and hospitable and their words complements that vibe. The people are comfortable and familiar with our industry, since a lot of shoots happen there.
Mission almost possible
I enjoy travelling by the motorbike-taxi because there the city has its own share of traffic snarls. Biketaxis are convenient and fun. I found it scary initially, almost like shooting for Mission Impossible, but it was safe.
Next on the list
It was my mom's first visit to Bangkok and she loved the locals. She could communicate so easily with them. Even when I was shooting, she would take the car and explore the city. I'm headed to Maldives this week to ring in her birthday. My sister, brother-in-law, brother will join us this time. We are looking forward to relax and also try some adventure sports.
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