As she gears up the release of her film, Tahira recently discussed the societal pressures that women often face, particularly the pervasive “mom guilt” that arises when they prioritize their careers over family responsibilities. She shared her own experiences, questioning why men, including her husband Ayushmann Khurrana, are rarely asked about balancing work and family.
“I was having this conversation the other day about how we ask women how they manage everything when they have children,” Tahira told The Indian Express. “I really wish that Ayushmann and other men were asked, ‘How do you manage to shoot three films with two kids at home?’ They should feel the same guilt that women are constantly subjected to.”
Ayushmann Khurrana celebrates Tahira Kashyap’s triumph over cancer on World Cancer Day
She further explained, “Women are wired in a way that they always feel guilty about choosing their work over their children. I did choose a meeting over my kids’ PTA. I have made these hard choices. I remember missing my son’s first performance in a musical theatrical because of a conference. Thankfully, there were three shows, so I managed to attend one. Regardless of external judgment, the guilt is always there.”
Tahira stressed the need for these questions to be directed at men more frequently. “I just want to know how men are wired. These questions should be asked to them time and again because apparently, they do not feel guilty. We should keep asking them until they do, because women are already burdened with guilt.”
Sharmajee Ki Beti will stream from June 28.
