Mothers are the heart of every family, and I am lucky to have two of them now,” shares Alisha Prajapati, who tied the knot earlier this year. The actress, who joined us for a Mother’s Day shoot with her mother (Minaxi Prajapati) and mother-in-law (Nikita Shah), shares, “Mothers do so much for everyone around them without expecting anything in return, and this day is a beautiful reminder to pause and appreciate their love, sacrifices, warmth, and strength.“Excerpts from a fun conversation.‘My mom has remained my strongest anchor’ This past year has been a beautiful whirlwind, and through the chaos of wedding preparations and my acting career, my mother has remained my strongest anchor. Whether we were bonding over jewelery shopping or other wedding chaos, her calm presence turned overwhelming days into cherished memories. I remember feeling extremely overwhelmed a few days before the wedding, and she held my hand and said, “Just live every moment; these days won’t come back.” She taught me that true success is hollow without peaceful relationships, instilling in me the values of responsibility, respect, and the courage to stand my ground. Now, as I balance a new home and a fast-paced life, I carry her wisdom with me as a constant reminder to stay emotionally present and true to myself. ‘My mother-in-law never made me feel like an outsider’ Entering a new family is a big emotional transition, but with my mother-in-law, things became natural and warm. I think our relationship evolved from being formal to deeply personal through everyday conversations and small family moments. There came a point where I stopped feeling like I had to ‘fit in’ and felt completely comfortable being myself around her. That’s when I realized our bond had become personal. She has a very comforting way of making everyone feel included and cared for. Never once have I felt like an outsider in her world. Even the smallest gestures, like checking whether I’ve eaten, remembering little things I like, or involving me in family conversations, made a huge difference. I love how she brings the family together over food and conversations. There’s warmth in the way she creates togetherness, and she never makes me feel like an outsider. ‘Both my mothers pamper me equally and unapologetically’ What surprised and delighted me is how similar they (mom and mom-in-law) are at their core. Both of them love hosting people and making sure no one leaves without eating something. They would never let a guest leave the house without a proper meal. Having them in my life has balanced me beautifully. I went from one home full of love to another that feels just the same. Both of them are wonderfully liberal, so I often joke that I have two mums and no strict rules at all. They both pamper me equally and unapologetically. We all love tea; so many of our best moments happen over tea and conversations. I love shopping, eating pani puriand chatting with them. ‘A lot has changed for us after Alisha’s wedding’ Alisha’s mother, Minaxi, shares, “The house definitely feels different after a daughter gets married. She brings a certain warmth, energy, and liveliness that you naturally miss. But as a mother, seeing her happy and settled in her new home gives me immense peace and happiness. Thankfully, her home is nearby (in Gandhinagar), so it never feels too far away. We stay connected through regular calls and messages, and whenever possible, we meet over teameals, or simple family time together. The bond remains the same.” Alisha’s mother-in-law, Nikita, adds, “Even though both my sons are currently away from India, festivals and family occasions no longer feel quiet or incomplete. Alisha brings excitement into every celebration, whether it is helping with decorations, planning little family traditions, organizing temple visits, or simply ensuring everyone comes together. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and it has made the home feel happier, fuller, and far more. connected.” Having Alisha at home feels like having a daughter. She blended into our family so naturally that it never felt like someone new had come into the house. Even though my son returned to the US after the wedding, Alisha and I spent a lot of time together – she joins me for temple visits, shopping, family lunches, and everyday errands. Somewhere between choosing outfits, discussing jewellery, and stopping for tea During shopping breaks, we became more like friends. We gossip, laugh over little things, and even tease my son together -Nikita Shah, Alisha’s mother-in-law We miss many little things about Alisha at home, especially her constant chatter and energy around the house. She always kept everyone engaged in her conversations, excitement, and little stories. I also miss our tea time, shopping plans, and those random mother-daughter conversations. It’s those everyday moments that feel the most special now -Minaxi Prajapati, Alisha’s mother From my mother, I would love to inherit her kindness, emotional strength, and the selfless way she supports others while always standing firmly for what is right. From my mother-in-law, I would love to carry forward her warmth, positivity, and her beautiful ability to embrace life wholeheartedly while making everyone around her feel truly at home. -Alisha Prajapati
