Soni Razdan speaks about losing acting opportunities post-marriage

Veteran actress Soni Razdan, mother of Alia Bhatt and wife of filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has opened up about a lesser-discussed chapter of her career—the period when her work offers dwindled drastically after marriage. In a candid interview, Razdan admitted she was angry and disappointed at how the industry sidelined her, despite her proven talent and years of experience.

She recalled that while marriage should have had no bearing on her ability to perform, producers and directors often shifted focus away from her after she tied the knot. “It was frustrating because I knew I had so much more to give as an actor, yet suddenly the calls became fewer. I realized it had less to do with my craft and more to do with perceptions,” she said.

Razdan pointed to a systemic bias in the Hindi film industry where married actresses have often been seen as less marketable. This dated mindset, she argued, has robbed many performers of meaningful roles at the peak of their talent. “It was as if marriage made us invisible on screen, while our male counterparts continued to headline projects well into their 40s and 50s,” she observed.

Her remarks have struck a chord across social media, with fans and fellow actors echoing her frustrations. Several younger voices in the industry praised her for addressing a stigma that still lingers, despite gradual progress. While the conversation around gender equality has grown louder in Bollywood over the last decade, stories like Razdan’s remind audiences of the long journey still ahead.

Interestingly, Razdan did not let the setback define her. Over the years, she transitioned to impactful supporting roles in both films and television, including memorable appearances in Raazi and web-based projects. Her ability to reinvent herself has allowed her to stay relevant, but she admits the road could have been much more fulfilling had the industry been more inclusive.

The timing of her remarks is also significant. With stars like Kareena Kapoor Khan, Vidya Balan, and others balancing family life with flourishing careers, there is a visible shift in how audiences and producers view married actresses. Yet Razdan’s story underscores that the stigma was very real for her generation.

As she put it, “Marriage should never have been a professional obstacle. But it was—and it hurt. I only hope today’s women don’t have to feel the same anger I did.”