It wasn’t easy to make a comeback after becoming a mother; says Jyothsna Channdola who has joined Sindoor Ki Keemat

Jyothsna Channdola, who became a household name as Khushi Bharadwaj in Sasural Simar Ka, is back in action three years after her last outing with Musakaan. She has joined the cast of Sindoor Ki Keemat. The actress says, “It’s a beautifully written character and is performance-based. I couldn’t have asked for a better comeback.”

The family drama has been on air for the past year. Wouldn’t she have preferred returning with a new show? “My choice isn’t governed by these factors. My priority has always been the character. As long as I get to perform in a show – ongoing or new – doesn’t concern me,” she replies.

Jyothsna, who worked non-stop, took a break from TV in 2019 because she wanted to try her luck in films. She extended the break to embrace motherhood. She says, “I was trying for films and web series. In fact, I was finalised for a big-banner film but then COVID struck. I don’t know what’s happening to that film now. I went through a personal setback, too. I lost my dad in November 2020. I went through anxiety and depression issues. I wasn’t ready to get back to work. Also, I wanted to go the family way and was blessed with a boy in June 2021.”

She adds, “I was offered another film in October last year but I couldn’t take it up, as my baby was too small. He is almost one-and-a-half now and I can now return to work. In fact, I was desperate to get back to the set. An actor can’t stay away from the camera for too long. Of course, I will miss him a lot and I feel the mother’s guilt. But Nitesh (Singh, her husband) will be there to take care of Joni (her baby). Also, my mother stays close by and we have a house help, too. So, there is no stress on that front. Besides, the set of the show is 10 minutes from my home.”

However, the road to comeback wasn’t as easy as one would assume. Several shows failed to materialise after reaching an advanced stage of talks. She shares, “I don’t think I struggled as much while joining the industry as I have to make a comeback. I was shortlisted, locked the budget and did mock shoots for various shows but everything failed to materialise. Itne rejections maine face kiye hain. Most of them wondered how I would balance my personal life with work because I am a mother now. With me, it was a case of out-of-sight-out-of-mind. I stopped getting invited to events. I don’t blame anyone for it but the phase taught me to be patient and resilient. Hopefully, there will be no break now (smiles).”


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