Being a mother does not mean it’s a career break: Hariprriya Simha

When it came to introducing their baby to the world, Hariprriya and Vasishta Simha had a carefully thought-out plan. “We wanted to wait because, first, both Vasishta and I believe in drishti (evil eye), and second, we felt he was too young to be exposed to the world. Now that he has completed six months, we feel it’s the right time to introduce our little one to everyone,” shares Hariprriya. They named him Viprah N Simha, which translates to ‘the enlightened one’. “It also has VIP in it, because he truly is the most important person in our lives,” she smiles. In a chat with us, she talks about the joys of motherhood, the values she hopes to instil in her child, and how becoming a mother has strengthened her personally and professionally. Excerpts: ‘VIPRAH WILL GROW UP WITH THE VALUES THAT OUR PARENTS HAVE INSTILLED IN US’Hariprriya tells us, “Both Vasishta and I come from an old-school mindset. We are extremely attached to our families and complete home birds. My mother instilled in me early on that habbas (festivals) must always be celebrated with family. Even during shoots, I would fly home just to join them and head back soon after. It’s the same with Vasishta. Now Viprah will grow up with these very values. Especially after becoming a mother, I’ve realised that traditions and values mean more to me than ever before.” ‘TODAY, BEING A MOTHER IS NO LONGER VIEWED AS A CAREER BREAKER’Hariprriya is equally firm that motherhood does not diminish her professional identity. “Earlier, there was a perception that motherhood would end an actress’s career. But today, things are changing for the better. Audiences, filmmakers, and the industry as a whole are more accepting. Motherhood has only made me stronger, more focused, and even more passionate about my craft,” she says. “The actor in me can never die. I shot for a brand 15 days into my delivery. I’ve also been listening to scripts, and most have either been of me playing an expectant mom or a mother. I want roles that go beyond this, so when I find one, I’ll take it up. Viprah is already used to travelling with us, so I’ll take him on set when I go back on sets,” she smiles.