Bollywood, where stardom often comes at a price, Sushmita Sen recently recounted her experience of wanting to return to work after a hiatus she took to prioritize her family. In an interview with Mid-Day, the actress did not shy away from opening up about the fact that her break continued for a much longer time than she expected.
Beyond the dazzling lights and red carpets, she reveals a remarkable chapter of her life—a period when roles dried up, bills loomed, and a single decision transformed her trajectory.
A Surprising Decision
In 2010, Sen was at the peak of her career when she decided to take a break from the limelight to be with her recently adopted second daughter, 1-month-old Alisah. “I can’t leave her with her nanny and do something I don’t like," she said, adding that she wanted to spend as much time with her children and family as possible.
Sen recalled how many of her family and friends objected to her decision to take a break at a young age. Many equated it to self-sabotage and called it a "big blunder."
The male-driven industry, she noted, imposed a ticking clock on women, limiting their time to 'look their best.' Yet Sen stood firm, guided by an inner voice that had steered her life's course.
She was told, "It’s a very male-driven industry, so, as a woman, you have only so much time to look your best."
But Sen said that she had a guiding voice inside her, reaffirming that she was in the right. "I have to listen to that voice because it has worked for me my whole life,” she said.
Struggle to make a comeback
In the Mid-Day interview, Sushmita Sen then got candid about her hiatus extending more than she expected. “The scripts that were coming also dried up, obviously because I wasn’t visible,” she expressed. She lived on a tight budget as a single mother with no job as an actor. Sen said that her partnership with Renee Jewellers and other endorsements helped pay the piling bills, but she knew she wanted more.
Between 2010 and 2012, Sen not only navigated the challenges of a break but also took on the responsibility of running the Miss Universe franchise in India. A multifaceted venture that showcased her adaptability and business acumen. In this period, she tapped into her resources, leveraging her association with Renee Jewellers and the Miss Universe franchise.
A Mother's Inspiration
The turning point came in 2012, when Sen's daughter, Alisah, became the catalyst for her return to the limelight. In a candid moment, Alisah questioned her mother's current profession, igniting a spark for change. Sen realized that her daughter, in her own way, was urging her to break free from inertia and reclaim her rightful place in the entertainment industry.
When Sen told her that she was Miss Universe and an actor, her daughter was confused about why she didn't act anymore. That was when Sen knew, " ...the time had come. She was kind of telling me off and trying to encourage me to break free from my inertia and go back to what I am supposed to do.”.
Reaching Out to the New Frontier
Jobless and with no acting experience in the last eight years, Sen embarked on a bold journey. Reflecting on the evolution of the entertainment landscape, she reached out to the heads of streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hotstar. Her personal calls were not just about seeking work; they were a proclamation of hunger and her desire to contribute to the dynamic world of OTT content.
“I was jobless. I had no experience in the last eight years. The world had changed dramatically, and OTT had shown up. I was loving the content on OTT. I personally made the calls because I wanted them to know I was hungry,” she said.
Sen shared that her daughters keep her grounded. "They are the biggest critics of every little thing. They are very proud of the person I am, but they are not always very proud of the work I do, which is absolutely fair," Sen confessed.
From the peaks of stardom to the challenges of a hiatus, Sushmita Sen emerges not just as a Bollywood icon but as a symbol of empowerment and reinvention.
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