Bollywood Actresses Whose Adoption Stories Are Changing Family Narratives

It is not merely biological, but also an emotionally motivated decision, an outpouring from within the self. Adoption, though laden with misconceptions and myths, has been optimistically adopted by many Bollywood female celebrities in India, where these stars chose to expand their families through adoption.

From single women who adopted when at the peak of their careers, to couples who approached parenthood with a plan, these seven actresses have defied the conventional boundaries of the adoption talk.

1. Sakshi Tanwar: Embracing Single Motherhood With Grace

Sakshi Tanwar, in 2018, made her decision to embrace single motherhood with quiet strength through adoption and welcomed her daughter Dityaa. As one of the respected and private TV actors, Sakshi’s journey towards adoption has been courageous and at the same time discreet. She believes that becoming a mother is the most beautiful feeling that she has ever encountered.

As part of her adoption journey, Sakshi believes that adoption is not necessarily about how one fits into the societal narrative but about how emotionally prepared one is. Deciding on single motherhood for Sakshi has been a bold and liberating choice.

2. Preity Zinta: Adopting 34 Orphan Girls

Preity Zinta’s 34th birthday in 2009 was quite remarkable. She chose to adopt a group of girls from an orphanage in Rishikes, taking on responsibility for their wellness and education.  This commitment went beyond a simple donation, involving consistent care, visits, and ensuring their future, making it a deeply personal and inspiring act of social responsibility. 

This goes on to prove that motherhood knows no bounds. The intentions of Preity Zinta’s actions symbolise an attempt at enveloping an instrumental role of social responsibility.

3. Sushmita Sen: A Trailblazer for Single Adoption

Another adoption that has been quite "in the news" is that of film actress Sushmita Sen. Being single, independent, and 24 years old, Sen’s desire to grow her family via adoption at first led her to become a mother to her first adopted daughter, Renee, in 2000.

Ten years later, Sen adopted her second child, Alisah. This was a time when "an unmarried woman who wants to adopt" still struggled under the law, but Sen was undeterred in her desire for adoption on her own terms. 

In an interview with SheThePeople, Sen expressed, "There is a lot of romance attached to motherhood before you have the baby, but once you become a mum, the practicality sets in of actually raising them. The day-to-day struggles of making ends meet are affected by so many different factors. It's been a journey of a lot of soul-stirring and a lot of learning."

4. Sunny Leone: Breaking Stereotypes Through Love

In 2017, Sunny Leone and her husband, Daniel Weber, adopted a little girl from Maharashtra and named her Nisha Kaur Weber. At first glance, Sunny and her husband knew they would fall for their adopted daughter’s picture; she was meant for them. Despite having to undergo severe criticism for her past, Sunny was very adamant and declared that the adoptive child didn’t become any lesser part of her family.

Following this, she gave birth to twin children through the process of surrogacy. Sunny emphasised the fact that the love for the children never changed. This situation helped to dispel the myth that adoption makes one a less parental figure. At the same time, the topic of surrogacy was given a positive spin.

5. Raveena Tandon: A Bold Decision in the 90s

Raveena Tandon has indeed done something revolutionary and ahead of time. At a tender age of just 21, an actress yet to get married and an aspiring star, Raveena decided to adopt not one but two young girls, Pooja and Chhaya.

In the 90’s, it was not easy to adopt a child, let alone two, and this for someone who was in the public eye and expected controversy and scrutiny wherever she went. People did wonder whether she was ready to be a mother, but she followed her heart.

After she got married, two more members joined her family. She did not differentiate between her adopted and biological children. However, what makes Raveena’s story significant is the fact that she had adopted children, and it was with great controversy; yet, she dared to do what she knew was right

6. Neelam Kothari: A Thoughtful and Deliberate Choice

In 2011, Neelam Kothari Soni, with her husband Sameer Soni, welcomed home a new bundle of joy, a precious little girl named Ahana. The experience of becoming a new mom is naturally beautiful and a wonderfully unique experience of joy, just like her own journey towards a sense of completeness.

Neelam’s saga is not one of sensation but reflects thoughtful parenting. She took all legal steps with patience, embracing her new role with a full heart. She also helped bring normalcy to adoption by talking openly about her experiences.

7. Mandira Bedi: Love Makes a Family

Mandira Bedi has also expanded her family with the addition of an adopted daughter, Tara, in 2020. She already has a son, Vir. She has been candid about how this process of adopting a child has been long and how Tara has always been part of their family in her heart before she actually joined them physically. Her belief in love bringing people together has hit home with many.

Since the sudden demise of her husband Raj Kaushal, Mandira has continued to raise her children in a remarkable spirit. Her life demonstrates the emotional patience involved in the process of adopting children.

Motherhood Beyond Biology

Being a mother does not cease after nine months. It is a process of giving, carrying, looking after others, and practising patience. It is love without boundaries. The arrival of a child is inherently beautiful—a uniquely joyful journey towards a sense of fullness and fulfilment, just as her own journey has been full of her search for completeness.  It makes a family, not another kind of family, but a family lovingly and deliberately chosen.

Views expressed by the author are their own.