Konkona: Life changes after you become a mother

After turning mother, Konkona Sen Sharma stepped out into the limelight once again at the launch of Shabia Ravi Walia's book Mamma Mania in Mumbai.

The glowing mom spoke about her infant son Harun, and motherhood in some detail with Trans World Features correspondent Sreya Basu.

How does it feel to be a new mom?

Life changes completely after you become a mother. While I didn't have a baby, people used to tell me, 'dekhna life bilkul badal jayega'. And I didn't take them seriously. And then it happened to me. I realised it's something you have to experience personally. It's a profound and wonderful change in your life, which I can't describe in words.

What was the most difficult thing you faced during pregnancy?

When I was pregnant, I was told to be on bed rest for sometime. It was very difficult for me because I am not used to staying home and badly wanted to go out. So it was a challenge in itself.

Did the excitement of new motherhood bring you to launch a book on first-time mothers?

I had read a lot of books during my pregnancy. But most of them were targeted at an audience abroad -- US or whatever. So this created a void. There were people giving you lots of advice, recommending books and what to expect during pregnancy.

I had not read any Indian books on pregnancy. I wish I had read Mamma Mania while I was pregnant. I read it soon after I delivered my baby boy (in March) and found it a very practical guide to all mothers, especially, first-time mothers. Shabia (Ravi Walia) has not crossed over anything -- everything you need to know is there. 

How is Ranvir as a father?
 
Ranvir is very excited about the baby. He is such a good dad -- changing diapers, putting Harun to sleep, burping him. He is really good at all that. Thank God, I am very lucky.

Who suggested Harun as the name of your child?

Harun was the only name we agreed upon for our baby. Else, he (Ranvir Shorey) was not agreeing to what I suggested and vice-versa. Harun in Sanskrit means hope.

Also, (Salman) Rushdie's Haroun and the Sea of Stories is a book that we both read. So my son's name is inspired from that book there Haroun is a 12-year-old boy adventurer.

Again, Harun al-Rashid was a very famous king of Baghdad centuries ago. In the Old Testament, there's a derivative of the name. So, actually it's a panel of names.

Will motherhood affect your career as an actor?

No, I don't think my choice of films will change because I have a baby. Obviously, my child will always be in the back of my mind when I am out. It sounds funny for me to say this as motherhood is just sinking in. As long as I get interesting roles and interesting films, I will continue to do them.

What is taking so long for your film Iti Mrinalini to release in India?

It's unfortunate that the film has still not released in India. But it's very exciting that Iti Mrinalini won two awards at the New York Indian Film Festival this year. A small budget film is always so difficult to release, get money for publicity, etc. So I am hoping that awards will generate certain interest in people about the film and they will want to watch it.

The film will be released both in Hindi and Bengali. It's about life of an actress.