Kalki Koechlin Birthday: When the actor said there is not enough support for working mothers in Hindi film industry

Kalki Koechlin

Actor Kalki Koechlin, who welcomed daughter Sappho in 2020, admits motherhood has given her a new perspective to roles. But returning to work after her maternity break wasn't easy. The actor says that she took Sappho to the London shoot of her film 'Goldfish'. The film revolves around her character growing close to her mother, who grapples with dementia - shows how grief and laughs can co-exist. On Kalki Koechlin's birthday, we revisit the time she spoke about being a working mother on a Hindi movie set.

Talking about being a working mother on a movie set, Kalki recently told mid-day, "The night before the shoot, she was holding on to me tight and refusing to sleep. So, I sat her down like an adult and said, ‘Sappho, I want to do this film. It is important to me. I will be here for you every morning and night.' She went to sleep immediately, and the next morning she asked for her nanny. Sometimes, when you [share] your vulnerability, children feel involved."

Even as she is grateful to the film's unit for building a supportive environment for her, the actor rues that the Hindi film industry hardly considers the needs of working mothers. "There is not enough support in the industry. One is left at the mercy of kind people on set. In terms of laws, there is a long way to go. I have had experiences when the baby was with me on the set, but people wanted to do [outfit] trials past 10-11 pm. You want to keep working, but you also have the role of being a mother. I lucked out on Goldfish, where the producers arranged for a nanny in the UK. The director cut down on night shoots so that I could be home at 6 am to feed her."

Kalki co-parents her daughter with her partner Guy Hershberg. In an exclusive conversation with Mashable India, Kalki shared that she had previously been married to director Anurag Kashyap, and her current partner was not keen on the idea of marriage. They mutually decided against tying the knot, opting instead to live together as a committed couple. Following the birth of their daughter, Kalki and Guy settled in Goa, where they continue to reside. However, Kalki frequently travels to Mumbai for work commitments. She spoke about her efforts to keep her visits short, ensuring she doesn't stay away from her daughter for extended periods. Explaining the reason behind her move to Goa, Kalki mentioned her desire for her daughter to grow up in an environment surrounded by lush greenery and ample outdoor spaces. She had previously expressed the same sentiment in an interview with The Times of India.

Kalki revealed that she first met Guy while on an all-girls trip to Israel. Coincidentally, he attended the same music school as one of her friends, making him one of their contacts during their trip. Despite their hectic work schedules that often take them away from home, both Kalki and Guy prioritize returning to Goa whenever they can.