Jwala Gutta has always been a fighter, but her newest arena has no sidelines. One year in, she admits that motherhood hasn’t just changed her schedule — it has rewritten her soul. Life now begins and ends with her daughter Mira.In an unfiltered chat with Hyderabad Times, Jwala strips away the celebrity veneer to discuss the raw realities of parenting. From the physical hurdles of breastfeeding to the silent weight of modern expectations, she opens up about the beautiful, messy truth of a life she never imagined — and the daughter who now defines it.
‘I think about Mira before anything else’For years, Jwala’s world was defined by the blur of travel and the roar of the court, but she always knew she wanted a different kind of presence for her greatest role. Choosing motherhood at 41 via IVF wasn’t just a milestone; it was a deliberate choice to be fully present. “During my playing career, I felt I wouldn’t be able to give my child the kind of time and presence I truly wanted to,” she says, adding, “I always wanted to become a mother at a stage in life when I could fully be there for my child, because I didn’t want somebody else raising my baby while I traveled and played.“Now, with Mira already walking around the house, she says her days are filled with joy, chaos and constant alertness. “She never sits in one place,” Jwala laughs. “My entire life revolves around Mira now. Before I think about anything, I think about her first. It’s truly a full-time job. There’s a reason people say it takes a village to raise a child. Even when I’m sleeping, I’m aware of what she’s doing. Earlier, I used to sleep like a log. That’s one big change motherhood has brought.”‘We are conditioned to believe that everything comes naturally to mothers, but that’s not true’Society loves to romanticise the “maternal instinct,” but Jwala is quick to point out that the reality is often far more gritty. “We are conditioned to believe that everything comes naturally to mothers, but that’s not true,” she says, adding, “When I openly said that breastfeeding was painful and difficult for me initially, many people were surprised that I admitted it.” While the world focuses on the newborn, Jwala is vocal about the person often left in the shadows: the mother. “A mother’s well-being should be the number one priority because her entire life changes. A man can still step out for work knowing the mother is with the child. But when a mother steps out, even for an hour, she’s constantly thinking about the baby.”
“Vishnu (Vishal) is always there for me whenever I need him,” says Jwala.
Me and Aryan share a very special bond. He’s more like a friend to me. Even at nine, he is very aware, emotionally intelligent and understanding. Sometimes I feel he’s even more understanding than his father
Jwala Gutta
‘Now, my respect for all mothers has grown tenfold’Becoming a parent has given Jwala a new vantage point from which to view her own mother’s legacy. “I’ve always respected my mother for everything she has done for us. She came from another country, built a life here, and became a successful entrepreneur. But after becoming a mother myself, my respect for all mothers has grown tenfold.” Now, she finds herself looking for the “how” behind that endurance. “I often wonder how she managed to raise two daughters while handling life’s many responsibilities. The funny thing is, she barely remembers her struggles because, for her, it was all part of motherhood. Now, I truly understand the quiet strength mothers carry every single day.”
Jwala Gutta with her mother, Yelan Gutta
The unexpected twist in baby Mira’s naming story
Aamir Khan with Jwala Gutta and Vishnu Vishal and their kids, Aryan and Mira
It’s public knowledge that Aamir Khan named Jwala Gutta’s daughter, but the serendipity behind it has become a cherished family anecdote. Admittedly, for months, “the family was set on “Masha”, a Russian name meaning beloved.” But just a day before the naming ceremony, Aamir introduced a last-minute twist.“I honestly had a mini heart attack,” Jwala recalls with a laugh. “Naming your child is such an emotional process, and we had already connected with ‘Masha’. We had almost settled on it. But Aamir suggested the name Mira, saying the world was going through difficult times marked by conflict and negativity, and that the name symbolized unconditional love and peace. The moment he explained it, I was instantly convinced. It just felt beautiful and meaningful.”
I have always admired my mother. She came from China, built a life here, and became a successful entrepreneur. Now, I truly understand the strength motherhood demands
Jwala Gutta
‘Donating breast milk was one of the most meaningful parts of my journey as a mother’Motherhood, for Jwala, extended beyond caring for her own child. She also became a breast milk donor for premature and newborn babies in need, a practice still relatively uncommon in India, where only a handful of hospitals and milk banks actively support it.. “I donated nearly 60 liters of breast milk, and honestly, it became one of the most meaningful parts of my motherhood journey,” Jwala says.‘Sports will definitely be a part of Mira’s upbringing’Jwala is clear about the values she wants to instill in Mira. “I want her to be independent, strong and fearless,” she says. “In today’s world, girls need to know how to take care of themselves.” Sports, she believes, will be an important part of her daughter’s upbringing. “I definitely want to introduce her to sports because children today are constantly surrounded by screens and social media. Physical activity is extremely important.” “And yes, badminton will certainly be among the options Mira is exposed to. People say children should decide everything on their own, but I believe parents have a responsibility to guide them while they’re young. Later in life, once she grows up, she can make her own choices,” Jwala adds. — Biswajit Talukdar
