Sonnalli Sehgal Returns in 'Aryabhatta Ka Zero': "Now I Work on My Own Terms"

After a dedicated year-and-a-half maternity break, acclaimed actress Sonnalli Sehgal is making her much-anticipated return to the silver screen with her new theatrical release, Aryabhatta Ka Zero. Stepping back into the limelight after embracing motherhood, Sonnalli is embracing a fresh professional chapter defined by balance, creative satisfaction, and newfound personal priorities. Opening up about her journey in a candid interview, the actress shared her mix of excitement and nerves as she returns to work, managing rigorous promotional tours with her daughter and mother by her side while selecting projects that align with her reformed lifestyle.

Redefining Career Choices and Motherhood Priorities

Transitioning from her early days in the industry when career choices were often driven by financial independence, Sonnalli admits that motherhood has completely transformed her decision-making process. Emphasizing that her daughter's routine dictates her schedule, the actress noted that every prospective project now undergoes strict evaluation regarding shooting locations, working hours, and whether she can comfortably integrate her child into the schedule. While she insists on maintaining hands-on involvement in her baby's daily routine—handling feeding, storytelling, and bedtime herself—she hopes contemporary film producers will increasingly recognize and accommodate the practical needs of working mothers on set.

From Mathematics to Numerology and Winning Miss India

Reflecting on the title of her comeback film, Aryabhatta Ka Zero, named after the legendary mathematician, Sonnalli revealed her deep-rooted affinity for numbers, sharing that she excelled in mathematics during her student days and is currently pursuing a formal course in numerology. Growing up in Kolkata, her path to stardom was filled with pivotal choices. She successfully cleared the rigorous entrance examination for the prestigious National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), but chose to pursue her passion for modeling when she received a call for Miss India. Backed by the unwavering support of her mother—despite initial skepticism from her school chemistry teacher who worried she was wasting her academic talent—Sonnalli carved out a successful path in pageantry and acting, ultimately leading her to where she is today.