Rubina Dilaik Opens Up on Bias Faced by Actresses After Motherhood

Mumbai: Television actress Rubina Dilaik has candidly spoken about the challenges many women in the entertainment industry face after becoming mothers, saying that actresses are often judged unfairly and considered less capable of handling demanding projects.

In an exclusive interaction with IANS, Rubina highlighted how several women lose work opportunities due to preconceived notions surrounding motherhood.

Talking about the issue, the actress said many producers and makers assume that women who have recently given birth may no longer possess the same stamina, ambition or professional commitment as before.

“Studies show that 62 per cent of women do not resume work after pregnancy because society is unwelcoming towards a woman who has just given birth. At times, the industry looks down upon her and thinks stamina will not be there, strength will not be there, there will be no ambition. And if there is no ambition, then maybe she won’t be able to prove herself. If she won’t be able to prove it, then keeping her in this project will be harmful for us. These are the thoughts women are constantly judged with,” Rubina shared.

She further said that such societal pressure often causes women to question their own abilities and confidence.

“Society never gives us that space to just be. It never says ‘it’s okay, we will not judge you, even if you make a mistake’. There is always this constant pressure, and not every woman may be equally strong or able to navigate her own path with confidence,” she added.

Rubina, who has continued balancing motherhood and her professional commitments, said she now sees her journey as a way to inspire other women who fear that motherhood may limit their careers.

“Since I am blessed that I get this opportunity to show myself that there is still more that I want to achieve. There is a path that I want to pave for myself and my fellow contemporaries who are contemplating that after becoming a mother, not all doors will be closed. So this is for all of them,” she said.

On the work front, Rubina Dilaik is gearing up to travel to Cape Town for participation in the upcoming season of the reality show Khatron Ke Khiladi.

With inputs from IANS