Actress Shriya Saran has opened up about her experience of returning to film work after becoming a mother and praised the makers of the Drishyam franchise for being supportive during that period. The actress, who plays Nandini Salgaonkar in the Hindi Drishyam films, recalled how the production team accommodated her responsibilities while she was working on Drishyam 2.
Speaking in an interview with India Today, Shriya said that her daughter was only eight months old when she worked on Drishyam 2. She explained that the makers were aware that she was a new mother and made adjustments to help her manage her professional commitments along with her responsibilities at home.
According to Shriya, the team would sometimes allow her to leave the shooting location earlier than scheduled. On some occasions, she said, she was allowed to leave even before the film's lead actor Ajay Devgn. She attributed the decision to the team's understanding of her situation as a new mother.
Shriya described the experience positively and expressed gratitude towards the people involved in the production. She said the team was supportive, kind and considerate during a period when she was trying to balance a demanding film schedule with caring for her young daughter.
Her comments have attracted attention because discussions around working mothers and shooting schedules have become increasingly prominent in the Hindi film industry. Actors and filmmakers have spoken about the challenges of maintaining professional commitments while also managing family responsibilities, particularly after the birth of a child.
Shriya's experience offers an example of how flexibility on a film set can help an actor continue working during the early stages of motherhood. Rather than describing a formal policy, she spoke about the practical support she received from the Drishyam team during the production.
The actress also recalled that preparations for Drishyam 2 began when her daughter was still very young. India Today reported that even her first reading for the film was scheduled around her daughter's sleeping time. This allowed Shriya to participate in the preparation process while also managing her responsibilities as a parent.
Shriya's experience has also influenced the way she approaches her career after becoming a mother. She has said that motherhood has changed the way she thinks about the films she chooses. She now considers the kind of work she would want her daughter to see when she grows older.
The actress has explained that she wants to spend as much time as possible with her daughter while continuing to work on films that she can feel proud of. She hopes that her daughter will eventually watch her work and appreciate the choices she made as an actor.
Shriya's comments come at a time when the Hindi film industry is having a broader conversation about creating more accommodating working conditions for mothers. Several actresses have discussed the difficulties of combining childcare with long shooting schedules and promotional commitments.
The discussion has included questions about working hours, flexible schedules and the need for production teams to understand the practical requirements of actors who have young children. Shriya's experience with the Drishyam team provides another perspective on how such flexibility can work within a film production.
The actress has been part of the Drishyam franchise since its Hindi adaptation began. She plays Nandini Salgaonkar, the wife of Ajay Devgn's character Vijay Salgaonkar. She returned for Drishyam 2 and reprised the role in the third instalment, Drishyam: The Conclusion.
The third Hindi film in the franchise was released in theatres on October 2, 2026. Ajay Devgn returned as Vijay Salgaonkar, with Shriya Saran, Tabu and other members of the earlier cast also returning. The film was directed by Abhishek Pathak.
The latest film has also brought renewed attention to Shriya's role in the franchise. Her comments about the earlier production provide an insight into what happened behind the scenes while she was filming Drishyam 2 shortly after becoming a mother.
For Shriya, the experience appears to have been significant not only because of the practical support she received but also because it showed that professional commitments and motherhood could be managed with cooperation from a production team.
Her recollection also highlights the importance of communication between actors and filmmakers. Shooting schedules can involve long hours and demanding routines, making flexibility particularly important for performers with young children.
Shriya's comments do not suggest that every production offers the same arrangements. Instead, they describe her personal experience with the Drishyam team and the way the makers responded to her circumstances at that time.
The actress's appreciation for the team also reflects the importance of a supportive working environment. By allowing her to leave earlier when necessary, the production team helped her return home to her young daughter without completely stepping away from her professional commitments.
The discussion is particularly relevant as more actors continue to speak publicly about balancing parenthood and careers. For many working mothers in the entertainment industry, the ability to manage schedules and family responsibilities can influence decisions about accepting and continuing professional assignments.
Shriya's story also shows how motherhood can influence an actor's priorities. While she continues to work in films, she has said that her daughter is now an important consideration when deciding which projects to take up.
Her approach combines professional ambition with a desire to remain present in her child's life. She has also expressed the hope that her daughter will eventually look back at her mother's career with pride.
The Drishyam team's support during the making of Drishyam 2 therefore remains a memorable part of Shriya's experience as a working mother. Her latest comments have brought renewed attention to the importance of flexibility and understanding on film sets.
As Drishyam: The Conclusion continues its theatrical run, Shriya's remarks offer audiences a glimpse into the personal circumstances surrounding the making of the earlier film. Her story also adds to the ongoing conversation about how the entertainment industry can create practical working environments for actors who are raising children.
Ultimately, Shriya Saran's experience highlights how support from colleagues and production teams can make it easier for new mothers to continue their careers. Her gratitude towards the Drishyam makers reflects the impact that considerate scheduling and workplace flexibility can have on working parents.
